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HISTORY 



OF 



Atlantic City. 



NEW JERSEY. 



By a. L. ENGLISH 

August, 1884. 



' The panting City cried to the Sea, 

'I am faint with heat; O, breathe on me!' 

So, to the City, hot with flame 

Of the pitiless sun, the east wind came. 

It came from the heaving breast of the deep, 
Silent as dreams are, and sudden sleep." 

— Longfellow . 



PHILADELPHIA, PA.: 

Dickson & Gilling, Publishers, Printers and Binders, 

27 and 29 South Seventh Street. 

1' '\ . • 



4o5"o 
nsi 

Copyrighted by A. L. English, in the year 1884, in the Office ol" the Librarian 
ot Congress, at Washington, D. C. 



-C, 



INDEX. 



CHAPTEE I. 

"What is Atlantic City and where Situated? 9 

Encroachments by the Sea, 10 

The Aborigines, 12 

Traditions, 13 

First Settlement by Whites, • • ■ 14 

Original Surveys, 16 

The Steelman Family 20 

The Jeremiah Leeds Purchases, 25 

The Somers' and Steelman's, 29 

Leeds' Possession of the Island, 33 

The Chamberlin Tract 34 

First Purchase by the Land Company, 35 

Dedication of Land for Streets, 37 

Population During the Eevolution 38 

First Permanent Settler 38 

Fish and Game, 39 

Salt Works, 41 

Beach Parties and First Bath 5oHse, 41 

How a Fortune was Missed 42 

Old Landmark Obliterated, 43 



CHAPTEE IL 

Dr. Pitney the Founder of Atlantic City, 44 

Charter for a Eailroad, 46 

How it was Named Atlantic City 48 

Purchase and Laying out of Atlantic Avenue, 50 

Formation of a Land Company 51 

Opening Excursion to the Sea, 52 

Incorporation of the City 53 

First Election, 56 

The City's Seal, '. 57 

The First Ordinance, 58 



6 Index. 

The Second Council, 59 

The First Jail 60 

History of the Lighthouse, 61 

Its Cognomen— ''The City by the Sea," 63 

First Market House 63 

Early Struggles of the Kailroad Company 64 

The First Excursions .65 

The First Hop 68 

The Ice Tide o{ 1857 68 

The Mosquito Plague of 1858 69 

The Difficulty of Obtaining Good Water, 72 

First Eesident Physician 73 

Cattle Playing a Part in History 74 

Clam Creek Fishing Company, 76 

Some of the High Tides of the Past • 77 

Kecollections by Thos. McA.dams .78 

First City Surveys 80 

Recollections by Mr. Bedloe 80 

Mr. Schaufler's Early Experience 81 

First Life-saving Station 84 

A Chat with the First Ice Man, 85 

A Prominent Citizen's First Trip 86 

The First Native Born 86 

The First Board Walk 87 

Children's Sea.shore House 89 

Union League and Literary Association 89 

The Mitchner Land Sale, 90 

Atlantic City Horse Car and Passenger Railroad, 92 

Murder and Suicide, ■•■.... 93 

Sad Case of Drowning, 95 

Shipwrecks and Drowning, . . 96 

First Marriage 105 

The Post Offices 106 

A Pioneer Poetess, 107 

Atlantic City's Barefoot Boy, 108 

Military Companies, 109 

The Churches .110 

U. S. Signal Station 114 

The Schools 114 

Mrs. Eliza P. Guerney, . 117 

The Life Savers 119 

The City Hall 120 

Camden and Atlantic Depot, 120 

The Fire Department, 122 

Caught in an lee Tide . . 125 

Dr. Wm. Wetherell, 126 

Gas and Water Company 126 

Ojtening of the Mansion . 128 

Mr. Henry Disston 129 



Index. 7 

CHAPTEE III. 

Philadelphia and Atlantic City Kailway 132 

Newspapers i^-j 

Society of non-Resident Tax Payers, I37 

Gen. Grant and Distinguished Guests, . . 138 

The Atlantic Avenue Railroad Controversy 140 

The Lippincott Land Case, I44 

Improvement Association, . 145 

Running the Trains Through the City, I47 

Board of Health, . I47 

The Excursion Houses, I49 

Atlantic City's National Bank I49 

The Water Controversy 151 

Early Bath Houses, 152 



CHAPTER IV. 

The West Jersey and Atlantic Railroad, I54 

Park Bath House and Parlor 159 

Building Associations 161 

Hon. John L. Bryant 161 

The Ocean Piers 162 

Sewerage Ordinance 162 

Formation of a Yachtman's Association 163 

Citizens' Association 164 

The Mercer Home ... 165 

Justices of the Peace 166 

Wards and Precincts 166 

Higbee Road and Inlet Drive. . . 167 

Total Number of Votes Polled , .167 

Religious Exercises on the Beach . . 168 

City Officials from 1854 to and including 1883 . . 169 

The Earthquake 172 

Atlantic City in Summer 172 

Atlantic City as a Winter Resort . 176 

Testimonials by Eminent Physicians 178 

The City as a Winter Health Lift 183 

Influence of the Gulf Stream 186 

Meteorological Statistics .... 187 

Annual Amount of Rainfall 189 

Further Advantages as a Sanatarium 196 

Hygiene Hints and Sanitary Precautions 199 

Societies 201 

Routes to Atlantic 207 

Where this Book is on Sale 207 

A Word to the City Authorities 208 




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CHAPTER 1. 



An ethereal sea ebbs and ttow8, surges ancl washes hither and thither, carry- 
; its whole virtue into every beach-creek and inlet it lashes.— E'topcsoj?. 



What is Atlantic City ? It is a refuge tlirown up by the continent- 
building sea. Dame Health took a caprice and sliook it our of a fold 
of her flounce. A railroad laid a wager to find the shortest distance 
from Penn's treaty elm to tlie Atlantic Ocean. It dashed into the 
water, and a city emerged from its freight cars as a consequence of the 
manoeuvre. Almost any kind of a parentage will account for Atlantic. 
It is beneath shoddy and above mediocrity. It is different from any 
other watering-place in the world, because it is unspoilt, yet luxurious ; 
because the air is filled with iodine and chloride of sodium ; because 
with a whole universe of water Atlantic City is dry ; because of its 
perfect health and infinite horizons. 

Where is Atlantic City '? It is a strip of land on the Xew Jersey 
coast, bounded by Absecon Inlet on the Il^ortheast, the Great Egg 
Harbor Inlet on the Southwest, the Ocean on the Southeast and Beach 
Thoroughfare on the Northwest, and for many years has been known 
as "Absecon Beach," This strip of land is about ten miles long, and 
varies from one-quarter to three-quarters of a mile in width. Its 
general direction is ^STortheast and Southwest. It lies parallel to and 
is about five miles from the mainshore, from which it is separated by 
numerous bays, sounds, thoroughfares and salt meadows. It is distant 
from Philadelphia fifty-seven miles, in a Southeasterly direction. It is 



-[() History of Atlantic City, 



an island of the sea— surrounded by the salt and healing waters, the 
tides of the great Ocean — 

•• Ever drifting, drifting, drifting 
With the shifting 
Cnri-ents of the restless main ; 

Till in sheltered coves, and reaches 
, Of sandy beaches; 

The tides ebb and flood again." 

The island before described as Absecon Beach, was in the year 
1700, divided about midway by a small inlet through which the tide 
ebbed and flowed. This inlet located about two miles below the im- 
proved part of the present city long since filled up, and is known as 
"Dry Inlet." All that part of Absecon Beach lying from this inlet 
to the eastward so far as Absecon Inlet has been incorporated, and is 
now called Atlantic City. In 1703, Absecon Inlet ran out to sea 
about where Peters' Beach now is, the inlet having moved about a half 
a mile southward during the past 180 years AVhere Absecon Inlet 
empties into the ocean to-day there once stood a fine growth of oak 
timber, which years since succumbed to the axe of the shipwright and 
the encroachments of the sea. This freak of nature is not peculiar to 
Absecon Inlet. Prof. Cook, State Geologist, says all of the Inlets on 
the coast work southward, caused by the force of the currents during 
heavy northeast winds. This accounts for the abrasion at that end of 
the island bordered by Absecon Inlet. In truth it may be said 
that— 

'•When descends on the Atlantic 
The gigantic 

Storm viiul of the eqninox. 
Landward in his Avrath he sconrges 
The toiling surges." 

As an illustration of these encroachments by the sea, we cite the 
fact that owners of blocks and lots, whose deeds were duly recorded as 
late as 1855, have been compelled to resign them to the waves. The 
lighthouse, built as was supposed far out of the reach of danger, was 
for years threatened, until the government saved it by a series of jetties 
built ill the year 1870. These jetties checked further encroachment in 
that immediate quarter, and may restore the lands which the ocean 
swallowed up. While this abrasion was going on at the upper end of 
the island a corresponding amount of land was making seaward along 
the entir>! sea front. Upon this accretion avenues and beautiful sites 
have Ijeen laid out, and numbers of hotels and cottages have been built 
thereon. Messrs. Jacob Keim «fc Sons were the first to venture upon 
this domain of Neptune, moving the Chester County House to within 
.'•no feet of the sea in 1874. The total value of land thus deposited 



History of Atlantic City. 



11 



along the city's sea front is estimated at 1150,000. In 1860, the bathing 
grounds were about on a line with the cottage of Honorable Geo. M. 
Dallas. Vessels sailed at high water where the beach board walk is 




now located. That the relative positions of land and sea are ever 
changing, every intelligent observer will admit. Evidence of such 
changes have been authenticated for thousands of years past, and Ab- 
secon Beach is no exception to the rule. 



12 IIi^TOKv OF Atlantic City, 



The ancient city of Cromer stands submerged upon tlie tloor of tlie 
German Ocean, and not far distant, upon the same coast, beneatli the 
water of the ocean, are the ancient villages of Shipden, Wimpnell and 
Eccles. The latter submerged village, as if determined that its an- 
cient existence and locality shall not be forgotten or lost, projects aloft 
above the watery waste the ruined tower of one of its ancient churches, 
strange and weird testimony to time's mutations and the impotency 
of man when measuring strength with the terrible energy of nature. 

The voracity of the sea spared not ancient Dunwich, and laid his 
sacrilegious and iconoclastic hand upon her sacred edifices, and invaded 
the ancient mausolea of her dead. In 1740, by submarine explorations, 
the tombs in the churchyards of St. Xicholas and St. Francis were 
opened, when their coffins and skeletons were exposed to view, the 
latter lying upon the sands, rocked 

••In Uio erailli' oftho rmii-. imperious surge." 



The Aborigines. 

In 1023, Captain Jacob May explored the Delaware Bay. The Cape 
was named after him. He reports possession of the land by Indians. 
On the oth of May, 1030, Peter Ileyser and Giles Caster bou<4ht of the 
Indians sixteen miles s{iuare at Cape May, for the Dutch West, India 
Company. Indians were reported further up the coast. Evelin, in 10-18, 
says, that on the east side of the Delaware, about five miles up from the 
Cape, the chief of the Kechemeches Indians, having several factions 
under him, in all about eight hundred, was at war with the Sorgue- 
hunnocks ; that they were all naked and all afraid of guns, but that 
they would trade with the wliites. He says the coast abounded with 
swans, geese, ducks and other fowl. He saw turkeys, one of which 
weighed forty-six pounds, and pigeons in abundance. "There were 
elks and doe that brought forth two young at a time.'' In 1031, 
David de Vries entered the Delaware Bay and left a colony at Cape 
Henlopen. He returned in 1032 and found the colony had all been 
massacred by the Indians. He speaks of Indians at Egg Harbor. 
De Vries, in his journal of March, 1(533, wrote of having struck 
seventeen whales and capturing but seven of them, complaining of his 
poor harpoons. In April of the same year, he speaks of meeting 
Indians, and seeing a Hight of wild pigeons that darkened the sky. 
There are other records of Indian occupation of the Xew Jersey coast. 



History of Atlantic City. 13 



but no record of Indian cruelties to whites Irom the Delaware Bay to 
the Great Bay at the mouth of the ''Mullicas" or Little Egg 
Harbor Inlet. There can be no doubt that far away back in the 
annals of Time, the curling smoke from Indian wigwams ascended 
above the hill-tops and red cedar of the present site of Atlantic City. 
There remain traces of them to this day in the shell mounds in the 
vicinity of Hill's Creek. Indian implements of a very archaic char- 
acter have been found here ; Dr. Thos. K. Keed having several speci- 
mens in his possession. In his description of the New Jersey coast, 
William Wood, in a book published in London in 1634, refers to the 
aborigines in the following lines : 

■■The dainty Indian niiiize 
Was eat with cUim->;hell8 out of \vof)dt'n travs. 

The luscious lobster, with the crab-tish raw. 
The brinnish oyster, mussel, jieriwiggie. 

And tortoise sought by Indian squaw, ^ 

Which to the Hatts dance many a winter's jiggie." 

J. T. King, M. D., of Baltimore, who has given careful study to 
the habits of the Indians, in his interestina; book published in lS82i 
says : " The Jersey Indians utilized the colored shells of the ' pociuan- 
hock ' for coin or money, by cutting out the central black portion, 
which in Indian numismatics they called ' luckahw'ok ' or black 
money. Black money had twice the value of white money or wam- 
pum." 



Traditions. 

From the time of the occupation of the island by Indians until 
its settlement by whites, there are many traditions. Dr. Thos. K. 
Reed, historian of the Atlantic City Literary Association, has evidence 
that seems to establish as a fact the tradition that the notorious pirate 
Blackbeard frequently enteied the lower inlet and anchored in the 
thoroughfare behind the hills, making " Hill's Creek " his landing 
place. "This pictures(iue spot," says the doctor, "must have been 
at that time, when coverpd with the original growth of trees, one of 
strange and rugged beauty. It is not difficult to imagine the old pirate 
seated in one of its dells surrounded by his fierce and uncouth com- 
panions, while an ancient oak or red cedar spreads above them its 
brawny limbs and gnarled and twisted branches, protecting them as 
lovingly from the blaze of the sun as if they carried the evangel of glad 
tidings and good will to men." 



14 History ok Atlantic City. 

There are stories about drowning, piracy and shipwreck — about 
vessels being lured ashore on dark and stormy nights by lanterns 
erected on poles, and tlien jtlundered of everything of value. When 
enriched by the silver plate and coin thus procured, these land pirates 
would move away to live at ease upon their wealth, while others came 
to take their place. The waves have come up the beach and washed 
aAvay the footprints that chance had left as souvenirs of the past, and 
there is nothing left to trace these ancient accounts of piracy to any 
degree of proof. All the strand reveals is innumerable shells and 
splinters that the tide now as then, brought in and scattered on the 
sands. In the great ocean cemetery the king, the clown, the prince 
and the peasant are alike distinguished. The same wave rolls overall, 
the same reiiuiein by minstrels of the ocean is sung to their honor. 
Over their remains the same sun shines, and there unmarked the Aveak 
and the powerful, the plumed, tlie unhonored, will sleep on until 
awakened by the same trumpet. 



Fikst Settlement by Whites in this Vicinity. 

Of the lirst settlements on the Xew .Jersey coast in this vicinity 
there have been few records preserved. De Vries' journal of April, 
1633, says, that on the evening of a certain day, he arrived at the 
mouth of Egg Harbor, and tells of the low sand beach full of small 
hills along the coast. He says, " Egg Harbor is a little river, and in- 
side the land is broken, and that higher up there is a beautiful wood." 
These doubtless, were the great forests of the main shore. The jour- 
nals of all the old navigators refer to great numbers of whales along 
the entire .Jersey coast , and a settlement of whalers near Egg Har- 
bor. One refers to a school of whales off Egg Harbor ; it is not im- 
probable then that whale-boats frequently ran into Absecom Inlet. 
Very probably numerous whales were captured at sea oft this island. 
It is on record that eighty-one years ago an immense whale stranded 
upon the bar and was towed into the inlet. With much labor and ex- 
pense the oil was tried out, but just as the parties were estimating the 
probable results of their got)d fortune, a man by the name of Inman 
came from Great Swamp and claimed half the booty. He alleged that 
he and his brother had killed the whale, and gave confirmation of this 
l)y identifying a piece of harpoon that had been broken off in it. They 
refused to divide, and he appealed to the courts and gained his suit. 
The supposed windfall proved a loss of five or six thousand dollars and 
affords another illustration of the apothegm that "a half loaf is better 
than no bread." Fin-ty years since a smaller whale came asliore on 



History of Atlantic City. 15 

" Point of Beacli," and portions of the skeleton were washed out 
sixteen years ago by a storm tide ; one of its ribs, for years, was on 
exhibition in front of Schautler's Hotel, When whaling ceased to be- 
a profitable industry, lumbering in the magnificent cedar swamps 
with which the Jersey shore abounded, furnished sufiicient attraction 
to induce a continuance of the settlements begun under tlie whaling 
industry. 

The first settlement of whites within twenty miles of what is now 
Atlantic City, was made at Lov/er Bank, a hamlet in Burlington 
county, on the north side of the MuUica river, about fifteen miles from 
its mouth. Exactly when that settlement was first made is not now 
known, but probably in about 1645. "Esic Mullica," the original 
settler there appears to have been a man of position and means. He 
was born in Sweden in 1623, and probably came to America in the 



/ i 




SAILIXO UP THE BAY. 

"Key of Calmar'' or the " Guffin" in about 1037 or 1()3S, at which 
time he could have been only about 14 or 15 years of age. He proba- 
bly stopped at some of the Swedish settlements along the Delaware 
river until he was 21 or 22 years of age, and then with his retainers 
established his colony at that place. He acquired no English title to 
land, but made his improvements there long before the English set- 
tlers. The Duke of York conveyed the province now called Xew Jer- 
sey to Lord Buckley and Sir George Carteret on the 3rd of July, 1664, 
and soon after that the records begin to mention the name of Mullica 
in the vicinity of Lower Bank. In 1093, he was the head of a family 



IC) History of Atlantic City, 



of eight peisoDS. He moved from Lower Bank to Mullica Hill in Glou- 
cester county, which then included Atlantic county. In 1722 he sold his 
place at Crreen Bank to a Joseph Pearce. He died at Mullica Hill in 
1723, at the age of one hundred years. "^Mullica's Road," " Mullica's 
Hill,'' ••]SIullica's River'" and Mullica Tuwnship, this county, derive 
their names from the old Swede, who made the first settlement 
within twenty miles of this city. 

In 1G95, Deputy Surveyor "Worlidge made many surveys along this 
part of the New Jersey coast, some of them for Daniel Cope, others 
for Thomas Budd and some for John Budd. Among these surveys were 
several made at and near Somer's Point, Pecks Beach, (now Ocean 
City), and Absecon Beach. These were among the first surveys in this 
vicinity. 



OlMGINAL SUUVEYS WiTHIN THE InLOKPOUATED LiJIITS. 

For the following information we are indebted to Gen. Elias 
"Wright, who has made a careful search of the records of Mercer, Bur- 
lington, Camden, Gloucester and Atlantic counties, that an accurate 
statement of surveys and title to laud might be published in this his- 
tory. Much researcli and investigation has been required, and the re- 
sult as herewith published cannot fail to be of great value. The Gene- 
ral says : 

Within the incorporated limits of Atlantic City are the following 
original survej's, from which all title to land within the city has 
descended, viz. : 

1. Survey made to Thomas Budd, Oct 11th, 1G1I.">, for 440 acres. 

2. Survey made to Amos Ireland, Feb. (Uh, 1727, for 4'.t acres. 

3. Survey made to Andrew Steelman, July 5th, 1727, for 180 acres. 

4. Survey made to Andrew Steelman, July otli, 1727, for 10 acres. 

5. Survey made to Peter Conover, May 20th, 1729, for 100 acres. 
('). Survey made to Andrew Steelman, Dec. loth, 1729, for 11 9-10 

acres. 

7. Survey made to Daniel Ireland, Fel). ISth, 17."52, for M acres. 

8. Survey made to Andrew Steelman, Ai)ril 20th, 1733, for 20 acres. 

9. Survey made to Andrew Steelman, April 2oth, 1734, for 34 acres. 

10. Survey made to John Ladd, March 4th, 17.'>9, for 717 acres. 

11. Survey made to John Ladd, March 5th, 1739, for .".18 acres. 
Tliere was a survey made to Samuel Conley, Ryan Adams, An- 
drew Leeds and Owen Conley, on the 13th of Dec, 1829, for 45 acres 
of mud Hats, Ijut as it is not known whether or not these mud fiats lie 
within the bounds of the city no further attention will be given this 
last named survev. 



History ov Atlantic City. 17 

For the accretions along the sea front several recent surveys have 
been made to one Tatum by Samuel Downs, a Deputy Surveyor, but 
as under the laws of New Jersey no title followed the making of these 
surveys, no further mention will be made of the Tatum surveys. 

In the Budd survey Absecoii Inlet is called "Graverads Inlet." 
By some, this has been interpreted to mean " Graveyard Inlet," sup- 
posed to have been so called because in the imaghiatioa of recent 
historians the wrecks of many vessels gave it the appearance of a 
graveyard with its many monuments to the dead. 

The survey made next after the Budd was to Amos Ireland, for 
40 acres, in 1727, by which it seems that thirty-two years had inter- 
vened. The Ireland survey was made by Deputy Surveyor Japhet 
Leeds, who begins this Ireland survey " at a white oak tree for a 
corner on said beach in or near the line of Andrew Steelman," by 
which it seems that Andrew Steelman owned, or claimed to own, a 
part or the whole of the Budd survey, in 1727. By a note on this 
Ireland survey it seems that 28 acres of it laid on " Steel man's land." 
Now, as there was only the Budd survey existing on the beach wlien 
the Ireland survey was made, it follows that, if the note be true, 
Steelman owned the Budd survey. 

Andrew Steelman's survey for 180 acres made in .July, 1727, by 
Deputy Surveyor Japhet Leeds, recites that it lies "near or adjohiing 
to a survey or tract of land formerly belonging to John Budd." The 
Budd survey was made to Thomas, and John was the son of Thomas, 
so the title to the Thomas Budd survey descended to John Budd, from 
whom (if the above deductions from the island survey be true) it de- 
scended to Andrew Steelman. 

The bounds of the Peter Conover survey for 100 acres begins " in 
a line of land of Thomas Budd," and the last line of this Conover sur- 
vey follows St) "chains in Budd's line." This Conover survey was 
made in 1729, and the reference in it, evidently, is to a survey made to 
Thomas Budd and not to the then owner of the Budd survey. 

There is much doubt as to whether the Andrew Steelman survey 
of 11 0-10 acres lies on Abseconi Beach at all. It is the opinion of the 
writer that it does not, and hereafter will be so treated. It is i)ut into 
the list of Absecoii Beach surveys because it seems to have been so 
claimed. If its proper location is upon the beach, the title to it de- 
descended the same as the title to other surveys on the beacii, so located, 
to Andrew Steelman. 

Daniel Ireland's survey of .'51 acres made by Deputy Surveyor 
Japhet Leeds, is recited as being "near the south end of the said 
beach." This " south end " means near the dry inlet, and because of 
the great length compared with its breadth, the survey was subse- 
quently known as the "garter survey." 



18 IIiSTOKY OK Atlantic City. 

The bounds of Andrew Steelman's survey of 20 acres, begins at 
the " northerly corner of a tract of land of ye said Steelman.*' , The 
closing line of this Steelman survey being about the same course as the 
most northwesterly line of tlie Budd survey, the reference to the ^ land 
of ye said Steelman," probably means that Steelman was then (1733) 
the owner of the Budd survey. 

Japhet Leeds, Deputy Surveyor, made the 34 acres survey to 
Andrew Steelman, in April, 1734, and in making his return he de- 
scribes the second corner as being " in or near the line of John Budd's 
survey," and then with his second line follows the course of the 
Thomas Budd survey line. This indicates that Leeds intended to men- 
tion the survey, and not the then owner of the survey. It also indi- 
cates that the title to the Thomas Budd survey descended to John 
Budd, from whom Steelman derived title. 

It seems that John Ladd was a Deputy Surveyor, and surveyed to 
him.self the aforesaid two surveys ; in doing so he has apparently made 
a mistake in the dates of each. The larger survey is dated March 4th, 
and the smaller one is dated March 5th. This should be alternated, for 
the larger survey "begins at a stake by the thoroughfare near the 
moutli of Hiirs Creek, being also corner of the other survey of 318 
acres." Xow, if the larger survey Avas made hej'ore the smaller one, it 
could not have mentioned the smaller one, therefore the date of the 
smaller one should be March 4th, and that of the larger one March 5th. 
This being so, the writer will first treat ot the smaller one, which lo- 
cates to Ladd, all the land not before located, the full width of the 
beach from low water mark of the ocean to the thoroughfare, and from 
Hill's Creek down to the Dry Inlet (then called '-Little Inlet.") From 
this survey the 34 acres made to Daniel Ireland, called the " garter 
Survey," is excepted. 

Ladd, in his larger survey, in calling for Absecon Inlet, spells it 
" Absequan." In making this survey, Ladd located for himself all 
the land not previously located, from low water-mark of the ocean to 
the thoroughfare, and from Hill's Creek to Absecon Inlet, within 
which bounds he says there is contained 2,010 acres, with allowance 
for highways. He excepts, — 4 surveys made to Andrew Steelman, 
containing 244 acres (this does not include Steelman's 11 0-10 acres), 
and to Scott, now belonging to Steelman, 300 acres ; to Budd, now 
also Steelman's, 000 acres; to Amos Ireland, 40 acres ; in the whole, 
excepts 1,193 acres, and then says there remains 717 acres. This 717 
should be 817, for if 1,103 be taken from 2,010, it leaves 817. 

Xo record of any survey made to " Scott " on Absecon Beach can 
be found. In book A of Surveys, page 50, is the record of two surveys 
in one certificate, made to John Scott, one of them for 134 and other for 
55 acres : and on the same page there is a survey made to John Scott, 
to include a i»lantation on tlu^ Delaware river, where Jolin Scott 



History of Atlantk City. 



Ill 



then lived. Other surveys made to him lie between the Delaware 
river and the " Rarrington river." The probability is that all the sur- 
veys made to John Scott Avere laid in this vicinity, though nothing has 
been discovered to show where the two surveys of 134 and 55 acres do 
actually lie. 

The 000 acres excepted from Ladd's larger survey, being a survey 
made to John Budd, is a mistake ; there is no such survey on record. 
The 440 acre survey made to Thomas Budd is a monumental survey, 
and probably included (500 or more acres, and as its title descended 
from Thomas Budd to his son John ; Ladd called it John Budd's sur- 
vey of 000 acres. 




THE I'.EAC II DItlVK. 



Ladd says this 000 acre Budd survey then belonged to Andrew 
Steelman, the same as Deputy Surveyor Japhet Leeds had said in 
making many of the surveys hereinbefore mentioned. 

The boundary lines of all these eleven surveys (except, perhaps, tlie 
11 9-10 acres) could now be easily and accurately located upon the 
ground. 

The title to the Thomas Budd survey descended to his son, John 
Budd, who, on the 9th day of June, 1726, threw it into 8o undivided 
shares or parts, and by deed of that date to the several persons herein- 
after mentioned, the number of shares set opposite the names of each, 
viz.: James Steelman, 18 ; Andiew Steelman, 4 ; Jonathan Adams, 7 : 
John Scull, ; Peter Scull, ; Peter Conover, 9 ; John Conover, On : 
Eichard Risley, 11 ; Thomas Risley, O5 ; Edward Doughty, 8 ; Samuel 



20 IIisTORV OF Atlantic City, 



Gale, if of 1— making in all S3 shares. This deed recites tliat Thomas 
Budd made a will wherein he devised this with other lands to his wife, 
Susan Biidd, who had, previous to the date of this deed, granted to 
Sundry persons therein named (principally those mentioned above), the 
right to gather red cedar lumber (probably for fence posts), and the 
l)rivilege of i»asturage. 

The James Steelman, one of the guarantees above men.ioned, was 
the first Steelman found of record as a resident of Egg Harbor, 



The Steelman Family. 

The title to a large part of the land on which Atlantic City now 
is, having originated in, and descended through the Steelman family, 
it may be interesting to know something of the early history of that 
family. 

Starting with James Steelman, the first who. inliiO.'}, bought large 
tracts of land on the main shore of Thomas Budd, it is found that in 
1733, he made a will, which was proved on the Idth of January, 1734, 
in which he styles himself a "gentleman " of Egg Harbor. In this 
will he disposes of a large amount of valuable lands, and mentions of 
liaving before given to his sons, Andrew, John. Hauce, James and 
Elias, plantations and other things of considerable value. 

To his son Peter he gave his plantation whereon he then lived, 
lying on "Patcouk" Creek, etc., and ''all my cedar swamp and 
beach," and "all that tract of land and marsh that was bought of 
Peter Scull. ■■ 

To liis wife he gave the use of one-half of all his estate, ineludiiig 
lands, cedar swamps, beaches, etc. As hereinbefore shown, Peter Scull 
also owned ()-H3d's interest in Thomas Budd's survey, and whether 
or not James Steelman's purchase of Peter Scull included this 6-S3d 
is not ktiown, and in the absence of knowledge it will be assumed that 
it did not. James Steelman in his will mentions Katharine, his wife, 
and his children were Andrew the first, Hanee the first, John the first, 
James the .second, Elias the first, Snsannali Kean, Mary Blackman. and 
Peter the first. Because of the perpetuation of t][ie above family names, 
the sons are numbered, \hat it may be known !ijfhich of them is intend- 
ed in the following recital. J-* 

The last survey that Andrew Steelman tli^'first made on Absecon 
Beach, was in 1734. His will was writteii'-Tii January, 173'2, and 
proved in 173t). His children were Frederick the first, James the third, 
Peter the second, Andrew the second, MarySomers, Judith Steelman, 
and Susannah Steelman. At the death of Andrew the first he owned at 



History of Atlantic City, 21 

least 4-83d's of the Biuld survey, and the four surveys made to him on 
thp beach. In his will he gives to his sons — Frederick tiie first, James 
the third, Peterthe second, and Andrew the third — ••Absecond"' beach, 
along with all hiscedar swamp to be eciually divided between them, and 
decrees that either might buy or sell to the other, but that neither 
should sell to any one else. 

It is remarkable that Andrew gave " Absecond " Beach, not a 
part, nor all that he owned of the beach, but he gives the "'beacli."" 
This cannot, however, mean that he owned the whole " beacli," 
because his will was written in 1732, and in 173-1 his brother Peter 
took title under his father's will to his father's part of the Budd sur- 
vey, so that the four sons of Andrew the 1st took title to only so rnucli 
of the Budd survey as their father owned, which, as of record, was the 
4-83d"s bought of John Budd. 

Hance the 1st, the son of James the first, removed from Egg Harbor 
to Greenwich townsliip, in Gloucester county, and there reared a 
family of children, whose names were James, Hance, Ciiarles, John, 
and Daniel. 

The will of Hance the first, was proved in 1760. James Steelman, 
the son of Hance the first, lived in Greenwich township, and was the 
father of several children, two of whom were respectively named John 
and Andrew, one of his three daughters married Daniel Sutherland, 
one of them married .James Cade, and one married Isaac Layman. 
John and Andrew, sons of James, and grandsons of Hance the first, 
and great grandsons of James the first, moved from Greenwich to 
Weymouth township, near Tuckahoe, and there reared families. The 
will of this .James the son of Hance the first, bears date 3d of April, 
1786. The will of Peter Steelman the first, bears date the 16th of 
November, 1762, and Avas proved on the 10th of December of that 
year. By it he gave to his daughters Deborah and Susannah, all the 
right of "freehold whatsoever"" he possessed at "Abse(iuan beach."' 
Who Deborah and Susannah respectively married, if at all, is not known 
to the writer. The children of Peter the first, were Isaac the first, 
Deborah and Susannah. 

By the above, Deborah and Susannah, each owned •.t-83ds of the 
Budd survey, and herein will be traced no further. Hannah, wife of 
Peter the first, was sole executrix to his will, and on the same day the 
will was proved, .Japhet Leeds (very likely the old Deputy Surveyor), 
was appointed administrator to the estate of Hannah Steelman. On 
the 12th of April, 1771, Frederick Steelman the first, was appointed 
guardian of the person and property of Eiias Steelman the first. On 
the 12th of December, 1775, Sarah Steelman was appointed to ad- 
minister upon t he estate of Peter Steelman the second. The will of 
John Steelman the first, was proved 11th of August, 1775. The names 
of his children are not given. The writer has no knowledge of the 



-22 History of Atlantic City. 

Ijistoiy of James the second ; the indications are that lie may have 
gone with his brother Hauce into or near Greenwicli township. Tlie 
four Steelman surveys, together with such parts of tlie Budd survey as 
Andrew tlie tirst died seized, became the property of Frederick the 
first, James tlie third, Peter the second, and Andrew the second, under 
the operation of their father Andrew's will. Andrew the first, in his 
will suggested either of his said sons might buy or sell of the other, 
and this was most likely done, but the writer has seen no evidence of 
such record. It will therefore be supposed that each died the owner 
of the undivided fourth as received from their father Andrew. The 
will of Frederick Steelman the first, bears date the 23d of March, 1773, 
and M'as proved April 29tli, 177i^. He gave to his sons Frederick the 
second, and Andrew tlie third, all the lands and marsh he possessed on 
"Absequan" beach. Sarah was the wife of Frederick the first, and 
executrix to his will. Tt was either she or her daughter Sarah, (prob- 
ably) Avho in December, 1775, was as aforesaid appointed to administer 
upon the estate of Peter Steelman the second. The names of the 
children of Frederick the first, James the fourth, Frederick the second, 
Andrew the third, Sarah, Abigail, Judith, Mary, Hannah and Rachel. 
To Elias. the son of Abigail, he gave the half of a survey he bought of 
Samuel Cotton, over near Price's Mill. To his oldest sou James the 
fourth, he gave his saw mill on Gravelly Run, and all the surveys and 
lands belonging to him near that place. Judith, the daughter of Fred- 
erick the first, and granddaughter to Andrew the first, and great grand- 
daughter to James the first, intermarried with Jeremiah Leeds, who 
subsequently became the owner of all the land now "Atlantic City," 
except the Chamberlin tract, but under her father's will she acquired 
no title to beach lauds. 

Andrew, the third, died intestate, without children. His real estate 
descended to his brothers and sisters, wdiose names are hereinbefore 
stated. Under the laws of the state then operative, the brothers are 
supposed to have inlierited twice that of each of tlie sisters, and as 
there were, two l)rothers and six sisters, the share of Andrew, the 
third, would have been divided into ten parts, whereof James the 
fourth, would have had two, and Frederick the second, would have 
had two, and each of the six sisters one. Henry Smith married Sarah, 
one of the daughters of Frederick Steelman the first. Peter Steel- 
man, probably, married Rachel, another one of those daughters. 
Frederick the first, owned one-fourth of the interest of Andrew the 
first, on the Beach and that quarter. Frederick the first, gave to his 
sons, Frederick the second, and Andrew the third, equally, so that 
each owned one-half of one-quarter, or one-eighth, of what Andrew 
the first, owned. T'pon the death of Andrew the third, Judith, his 
sister, inherited one-tenth of such property as Andrew the third, died 
seized. Charles Steelman, the son of Hance the first, of Creeuwich town- 



History of Atlantic Citv. 23 

ship, settled on a farm at what is now the deserted hamlet of Emmel- 
ville, on the road between the villages of May's Landing and Wey- 
mouth. He had no interest in Absecon Beach. His will was proven 
in February, 1779, wherein he mentions his wife, Mary, and his children, 
Barbary, -John, David, Gortery, Mary, Margaret and Phebe. The will 
of Frederick the second, was made in June, 1782, and proved JiTovember 
6th, 1782. Among other things, he gave to his sons, Enoch and 
Frederick the third, all his lands, marsh, and under swamp and 
beach, to be equally divided. The children of Frederick the second, 
were Enoch, Frederick the third, Sarah and Leali. 

By recitals hereinafter, it will appear that the beach lands of Fred- 
erick the third, were signed by Sheriff Duny, and in 1783 sold as 
the property of Frederick, deceased. If this sheriff's title was sound, 
Enoch and Frederick the third acquired no title to beachlands. If the 
sheriff's title was not sound Enoch and Frederick the thid each owned 
l-16th of what Andrew the first owned. For the purposes of this his- 
tory, the question will be left unsettled, by supposing that whatever 
title Enoch and Frederick the third so acquired was lost in them, and 
shall trace the sheriff's title into Jeremiah Leeds. On the 22nd of Janu- 
rary, 1788, Ebenezer Adams was appointed to administer upon the 
estate of Elizabeth Steelman, and at the same time he was made tlie 
guardian of Jemina, John and Andrew Steelman, but who Elizabeth 
Steelman and these her children were, is not by the writer known, they 
may have been some of the Greenwich or Weymouth township Steel- 
mans. Zepheniah Steelman and Andrew Steelman may have been of 
that branch of the Steelman family, of whose estates Rebecca Steelman 
was appointed to administer in February, 1700, and James Stratton 
was made the guardian of an Andrew Steelman on the 16th of ]March, 
1790. The will of Nicodemus Steelman of Weymouth township was 
proved in November, 1799. The name of his wife was Hannah, and 
his children were Mary, Martha, and Experience. On the 28th of 
January, 1799, James Steelman was appointed guardian of Jeremiali or 
-Temina Steelman. James Code, of Greenwich township, was appointed 
guardian of James Steelman on the 18th of March, 1^03. 

The last few references are siven to show the similarity between 
the names of the Greenwich and Weymouth township families of 
Steelmans and those of Egg Harbor. By deed bearing date 1801 of 
record in the clerk's office of Gloucester county, at Woodbury, in book 
E of deeds, page 106, it seems that Zepheniah Risley, Thomas Risley, 
John Risley, Leeds Risley, Rebecca Risley and Polly Risley, were the 
heirs at law of Thomas Risley, their father, and l)y will of George Mires 
and Esther his wife, to William Chamberlin, dated 180.1, it ajipears that 
the said Esther was also one of those heirs. Whether or not the 
Thomas Risley, Sr., heirs mentioned, is the identical Thomas Risley 




1 



History of Atlantic City. 



hereinbefore mentioned as one of the grantees, wherein John Budd 
was grantor is not known, probably not, though a descendant. 

Bj' deed bearing date the ."itli of December, 1801, of record at 
Woodbury, in book G of deeds, page 395, wherein Andrew Steelman, 
of "Weymouth township, conveys certain lands to George Ireland, it is 
recited that John Ladd made a will and devised his real estate to his 
wife Hannah Ladd, who by her will dated 5th October, 1702, devised 
certain of such lands to Samuel Mickel. No search has been made 
to discover how those wills affected, if at all, the title to the two 
Ladd surveys on Absecon beach hereinbefore recited. 

John Steelman and Andrew Steelman, of Weymouth township, 
and others of the children of James Steelman late of Greenwich town- 
ship, by deed dated August 28th, 1802, of record at Woodbury, in book 
F of deeds, page 300, etc., divided certain lands among themselves, 
and by a similar deed dated in 1804, there was a division of certain 
other lands of the said James Steelman. 



The .Jeremiah Leeds Ptrchases. 

By deed bearing date the 7th of June, 1804, recorded in the Clerk's 
office of Atlantic county, on the 27th of February, 1854, in book H of 
deeds, page 67, &c., for the consideration of $98 therein mentioned, 
James Steelman the fourth, Henry Smith and Sarah the wife of Henry 
and the sister of -James, with Peter Steelman and Rachel liis wife, con- 
veyed all the title of the grantors in and to beach lands to Jeremiah 
Leeds. A more extended search would very likely show whose son the 
Peter Steelman above mentioned was, as it is, the writer does not 
know. 

In a deed dated the 6th of March, 1805, of record at Woodbury, in 
book K of deeds, page 324, wherein Reuben Clark conveys to .Jere- 
miah Leeds a certain piece of land on Absecon Beach which is de- 
scribed as beginning at William Chamberlin's line and runs thence 
the whole length of "Joseph Ireland's or .Jeremiah Leeds' plantation," 
containing 25 acres, being all the right of the said Clark be the same 
more or less ; it is recited that said beach land was conveyed to James 
Ireland, and by him conveyed to his son .Joseph Ireland, and by him 
conveyed to Reuben Clark. The description of the lot so conveyed is 
such as to lead to the belief that it is a part or the whole of the '' Gar- 
ter survey ' ' made to Daniel Ireland for .34 acres. 

By the above, it seems that -Jeremiah Leeds, then in 1805, owned 
a plantation on the "beach," which plantation had before been o\vned 

B 



2(3 HiSTOKY OF Atlantic City, 



by one of the Irelands, Avhose name had attached thereto, and that 
I^eeds had then lived there only so short a time, as that it was called 
V»y the names of both. 

James Conover, Jcsepli Conover, John Conover and Enoch Cono- 
ver, by their deed bearing date the oth of July, 180.J, of record at 
AVoodbury, in book K. of deeds, page :')'29, &c., conveyed to Jeremiah 
Leeds 48 acres of Absecon Beach lands, being part of sundry tracts 
belonging to the estate of Frederick Steelman the first, deceased, and 
by him becineathed to iiis sons Frederick the second, and Andrew 
the third. This deed recites that the part belonging to Frederick 
the second, was seized by Thomas Deiniy, Sheriff, and by him sold to 
Thomas Kennard by deed dated 7th July, 1783. That Thomas Ren- 
nard by deed dated 2d August, 1783, conveyed the same to Joseph 
Conover. the father to the grantors in this last mentioned deed, and 
that from Joseph Conover, the title descended to said grantors. 

If this last-mentioned deed conveys title as against the will of 
Frederick the first, Jeremiah Leeds got title under it to one-eighth of 
all the Al)secon Beach lands of which Andrew Steelman the first died, 
seized. 

In the deed last aforesaid, it is recited that the land so conveyed 
is "to be laid out adjoining the lands of Edmund Cordery, and to run 
the whole breadth of the beach and meadow in a straight line as near 
as may be," by wliich it appears that Edmund Cordery had some in- 
terest in Absecon Beach, and that there had been some division, or 
some attempt at a division. The expression, "the whole breadth of 
the beach," grew out of the fact that Andrew Steelman the first^ 
owned an undivided interest in the Budd survey that laid along near 
the sea front, beside owning the meadows between that survey and the 
thoroughfare, and as Frederick the first owned one-eighth of what 
Andrew the first owned, the purpose of the Sheriff was to seize and 
sell the said Frederick's interest, in the whole width or "breadth" of 
the beach. 

By deed of record at Woodbury, in book Z. of deeds, itage 424, 
bearing date March, 1807, Jeremiah J^eeds bought one acre of land, 
apparently for a building lot on the r.nin shore, by which it might be 
inferred that Jeremiah Leeds liad not, in 1807, become a fixed resi- 
dent on the beach, although the deed from the Conovers, in 1805, 
would seem to indicate that his name, at least, attached to the beach 
plantation which could not have been under so small an ownership of 
paper title as is hereinbefore shown, without actual possession by 
occupation. By all of which it will be seen that the exact time of 
his actual, continuous occupation has not been gathered from the re- 
cords, though it may be reasonably inferred that occupation by limited 
stops, perhaps, at first began in about 1795, and that in about 1800, he, 
with his family, was a fixture upon tlie beach. 



History of Atlantic City. 27 

In a deed, dated the 27th of June, 1814, of record at Woodbury, 
in book 7 of deeds, page 125, &c., whereby James Smith and othere 
conveyed certain lands on tlie main shore to Peter Steehnan and Jere- 
miah Leeds, a considerable interesting history of the Steelman family 
and titles is recited, from which miich con^rmatory information has 
been drawn ; and further information of like character has been drawn 
from a deed of record in said office, in book .1. .1. of deeds, page 35, 
&c., wherein James Steelman, Jeremiah ]^eeds and Judith his wife, 
and others, are grantors, and Henry Smith is grantee ; and additional 
information, from a deed dated 1830, of record in said office, in book 
A 3 of deeds, page 36, &c., wherein Jeremiah Leeds and Amelia his 
wife, are grantors, and Jesse Steelman is grantee, in which, with other 
lands, the said 1 acre lot is conveyed. 

The " Amelia'" in this last mentioned deed is believed to be a mis- 
take, as it is known that the name of Jeremiah Leeds' last wife was 
Milicent, and as Jeremiah died between the years 1830 and 1839, it is 
not probable that m 1830 he had a wife by the name of " Amelia.''^ 

On the 10th of September, 1814, by deed of that date, Samuel 
Doughty conveyed to John Black, among other lands, " the undivided 
right or share, dividend or dividends, on Absecon Beach, of that tract 
formerly conveyed to Thomas Budd," describing the Budd survey of 
440 acres ; which " share or dividend, undivided, with other lands the 
said Samuel Doughty may be entitled to by his brothers, Edward and 
John Doughty, or in any way or manner whatsoever," except such as 
had been conveyed by his father, Edward Doughty. 

On the 5th of February, 1815, John Black conveyed to Jeremiah 
Leeds, by deed of that date of record at Woodbury, in book W of 
deeds, page 226, all the land so as aforesaid conveyed to Black by 
Samuel Doughty. Edward Doughty, the father of Samuel, owned 
eight shares in the Budd survey ; and, supposing Samuel to have 
inherited the whole of this, the title passed from him into Black, and 
thence into Jeremiah Leeds. 

On the 1st of April, 1816, Jeremiah Leeds, by deed of that date of 
record at Woodbury, in book D D of deeds, page 53, &c., leased to 
John Black, for a term so long as Black or his assigns should use the 
same for the manufacture of salt, a lot of ground on the north-east 
end of Absecon Beach particularly described, wherein it is recited 
that '' the land being a part of my plantation whereon I now reside,'" 
with the privilege of erecting a dwelling-house and salt-works, and of 
pasturing two cows and team for the works. 

Here we find a positive declaration that in 181() Leeds dwelt upon 
his beach plantation, by which we find it of record that he claimed 
to own the whole plantation. 

By deed dated the 20th of April, 1816, of record at Woodbury, in 
book Z of deeds, page 140, &c., Enoch Risley and wife conveyed to 



28 



IIisTOHV OF Atlantic City. 



Jeremiah Leeds all of Enoch's right, title and interest to a survey 
called the "01dsurveY''on Absecon Beach which descended by heirship 
to Enoch Risley from Samuel Eisley under a purchase of undivided 




riglits. ' ' Also a riglit of 1 4 acres of what is called Lad's survey by deed 
from Hannah Lad, widow of John Lad, to Samuel Risley,'' and 
descended to the said Enoch as aforesaid. 



Hi.sTOUY OK Atlantic City. 29 

The " old survey'' above referred to means the Thomas Budd sur- 
vey of 440 acres, and the '' undivided rights'' has reference to a part or 
all of such shores as either Richard or Thomas Risley, or both bought 
of John Budd in i72(), and wliich had descended by heirship from one 
to tlie other, or both of them to the said Enoch Risley. The reference 
to a part of the Ladd survey indicates that Hannah Ladd, the widow of 
John Ladd, had conveyed a part of those surveys to Samuel Risley, 
from whom it descended to Enoch. 

On the •2nd of April, 1817, Jeremiah Leeds bought land on the 
main shore of James Conover ; and again on the 13tli of June, 1822, by 
deed of record at Woodbury, in book J. J. of deeds, page 320, &c., 
wherein David Price, Joshua Price, Jonathan Hacket, Leah Hacket 
and Clement Ireland are grantors as heirs at law of Andrew Steelman, 
deceased, and Jeremiah Leeds and Peter Steelman are grantees, and in 
which certain shore lands are conveyed much interesting history, fur- 
ther confirmatory of the information herein recited. Jeremiah Leeds 
bought main shore lands of Enoch Conover, on the 4th of October, 
1823. On the 6th of Janurary, 1830, by deed of that date of record 
at Woodbury, in book Z Z of deeds, page 187, &c., John Conover 
and Cumf urt, his wife, and Isaiah Conover and Barbary, his wife, 
conveyed to Jeremiah Leeds the 100 acres hereinbefore recited as hav- 
ing been surveyed to Peter Conover, under whom the grantors claim 
title. 



The Soimeks' and Steel:mans'. 

By the foregoing it will be seen that James Steelman, who seems 
to have been the founder of the numerous Steelman families in this 
vicinity, bought large tracts of land of Thomas Budd in 1695, and it 
happens to be within the knowledge of the writer that John Somers, 
who was the first settler at Somers' Point, a nd who also bought large 
tracts of land at that place of Thomas Budd in 1695, was the founder 
of the numerous families by that name, who now not only inhabit this 
part of the Jersey coast, but whose name and progeny is numerous in 
most of the States of the Union. Indeed, so honorable is their name 
and fame, and so numerous are the descendants of these two families, 
who were contemporaneous and among the first — if not the first — 
settlers in this part of Jersey, that it is no hazard to venture to assert 
that the blood of either one or the other, and in most cases of both of 
these families, courses the veins of all who have lived continuously 
during the last twenty years on the main shore between Somers' Point 
on the great Egg Harbor river and Leeds' Point on the Little Egg 
Harbor river. There were, and still are, several other such families 



30 History of Atlantic City. 



among them, viz.: the Risley's, Doughty 's, Scull's, Adams', Leeds', 
and Conover's. 

No attempt has been made herein to more than glance at the 
history of the Steehnan family from James in 1695, to a portion of his 
descendants as they appear of record in about the year 1800, the pur- 
pose being more particularly to recite with some pretence of detail 
such of the records as bear upon the title to lands within the limits of 
Atlantic City. 

As to the title to the Budd survey, so far as shown in this recital, 
the shares of the following named grantees in the John Budd deed, 
were lost in them or their heirs or assigns, viz. : 

Jonathan Adams 7 

John Scull, 

Peter Scull, (j 

Peter Conover. 

John Conover, . . . . . . 6 if 

Richard Risley, 11 

Samuel Gale, 5 

Shares of original grantees lost in them or their 

heirs or assigns : 
Part and possibly the whole of Thomas Risley 's 

share descended to Jeremiah Leeds, . . (>| 
Part and possibly the whole of Edward Doughty 's 

share descended to Jeremiah Leeds, . . S 
A part of the share of Andrew Steelman the first, 
which, when expressed in a fraction of the 
whole survey, would be, . . . T-lCtV i 

The title to another part of this Andrew Steelman 
share is lost in Abigail Steelman, Mary Steel- 
man, and JTannah Steelman, which is . 3-1660 
Andrew Steelman the third's share was . 
10-1660 = 1-166 



, -2-1 1)6 = 1 
Frederick the second's share was 1-166 

and this Frederick's share descended to Jeremi- 
ah Leeds from Sheriff Denny. 
The share of James the third was lost in him or 

his heirs, 1 

The share of Peter the second was lost in him or 

his heirs, ....... 1 

The share of Andrew the second was lost in him 

or his heirs, 1 

The share of Deborah Steelman was lost in her or 

her heirs, ',i 

The share of Susannah Steelman was lost in her 

or her heirs, 9 



History of Atlantic City. 



In all making the wliole survey 83 parts, of which Jeremiah Leeds 
owned a paper title to about l-oth. 

The 49 acre survey made to Amos Ireland is probably a part of 
the 131 acres known here for nearly a century as the Cliamberlin 
tract, which will hereinafter be more particularly described or re- 
ferred to. 

The most if not the whole of the Daniel Ireland or" Garter survey " 
of 34 acres was conveyed to Jeremiah Leeds by the deed from Reuben 
Clark. The title to the four or five Steelman surveys became the 
property of Frederick the first, James the third, Peter the second and 
Andrew the second. The share of Frederick the first descended to 
Frederick the second and Andrew the third, each of whom then owned 
one-eighth of tho.se surveys. Frederick the second willed his 1-Sth to 
his sons Enoch and Frederick the third, and if the title passed under 
this will Enoch and Frederick the third then owned l-16th of all those 
surveys, and was lost in them or their heirs or assigns ; but if the 
share of Frederick the second passed under Sheriff Denny's deed, it 
became the property of Jeremiah Leeds, who took title to l-8th of 
those surveys. Andrew the third died intestate, without children. 
His l-8th title vested in his two brothers and six sisters. 2-Kiths of 
this title became the property of Jeremiah Leeds through Sheriff, 
Denny. 1-lOth came to Judith Leeds, the wife of Jeremiah Leeds, 
and 4-lOths came to him by virtue of the deed from James Steelman 
and others, making 7-lOlhs of the share of Andrew the third, or 
7-lOths of l-8th = 7-80th of all the Steelman surveys. The otiier 
3-lOths of the share of Andrew the third was lost in his sisters Abigail. 
Mary and Hannah, each of whom owned l-Klth of 1-sth = l-80th of the 
whole. 

Therefore Jeremiah Leeds apparently owned of the Andrew Steel- 
man surveys 1-8 = 10-8 x 7-80 = . . 17-80 of the whole. 
There was lost in Abigail or her heirs 

or assigns 1-80 of the whole. 

There was lost in Mary or her lieirs or 

assigns 1-80 of the whole. 

There was lost in Hannah or her hei)-s or 

assigns 1-80 of the whole. 

Making the whole of the share of Fred- 
erick the second .... 1-4 of the whole. 

There was lost in James the third, his 

heirs or assigns 1-4 of the whole. 

There was lost in Peter the second, his 

heirs or assigns 1-4 of the whole. 

There was lost in Andrew the second, 

his heirs or assigns .... 1-4 of the whole 

Making the whole of all the Steelman surveys. 



32 



Hi>TOKv OK Atlantic Citv. 



Part of the Ladd surveys was conveyed to .Teremiali Leeds by 
deed from Enoch Eisley, hereinbefore mentioned. 

So that in 1833, at the time of the death of Jeremiah Leeds, he 
owned as of record, as hereinbefore shown, l-3th of the Budd sur- 
vey : of the steelman surveys about 1-4 ; of the Conover 100 acre 
survey, the whole ; a large part or the whole of the Daniel Ireland 
survey of 34 acres, and a part of the Ladd surveys. 




ONK OF IMOXKEl! ( OTTAOKS — OAVNKI) 1!Y :Slll. TIIOS. C. HAND. 



For want of time, little has been spent in making researches for 
their ancient titles. A much more extended search would very likely 
lead to the discovery of errors in the foregoing, and in all probability 
lead to the further discovery of a much larger paper title in Jeremiah 
Leeds to these beach islands than is hereinbefore recited, and possibly 
to the discovery that of record he owned the whole. It is asserted 
and believed true that at the time of his death lie had in his posses- 
sion a great number of unrecorded title papers, none of which has the 
writer ever seen. 



History ok Atlantic Citv. 



Leeds' Possession ok the Island. 

However this may be. it is a recited fact of record that in IS^Oo. 
Jeremiah Leeds owned the plantation on Absecon Beach, and a 
further fact of record, that in 1816. and proljably five or ten yeai-s 
sooner, he actually lived upon, and as a residence, claimed to own, 
and in fact, cultivated said plantation, and that the lands so claimed 
by him included all the land on Absecon Beach, lying to the eastward 
of the Dry Inlet, except the 131 acres hereinafter recited, called the 
Chamberlin tract. 

His paper title to large undivided interests. His claim to the 
whole. His actual, undisturbed and continuous possession by him 
and his assigns for more than seventy years, adverse to and within the 
knowledge of all other OAvners of title, if any there were or are, in all 
probability, under the statutes of Xew Jersey, conspire to establish a 
sound and thoroughly secure title in Jeremiah Leeds to all the lands 
so as aforesaid claimed by him. 

Jeremiah Leeds died intestate, leaving several children as heirs- 
at-law. In the year 1839, at the July term of the Orphan's Court of 
the County of Atantic, upon the application of Jesse Steelman, Jo- 
seph Garwood. Japhet Leeds and John A. Clement were appointed 
commissioners to divide the real estate of which Jeremiah Leeds died 
seized. In that application it was recited that the names of the 
said children were Ruhama. wife of Joseph Conover. Rachel, 
wife of Jesse Steelman, Andrew Leeds, Judith Leeds. Chalkley 
Leeds, and Robert Leeds . and that the last two were minors. 
This application and the proceedings thereunder are to be found 
of record in the Surrogates office of the County of Atlantic, in 
book -'A ■■ of boundaries and divisions, page 18, &c.. by which 
it may be seen that lots 1 and 2 were set off to Ruhama 
Conover. Xo. 1 is upon the main shore, and is recited as con- 
taining oOi acres. Xo. 2 is beach land. It is particularly described 
and is recited as containing 18.5 acres more or less. 

There is a map attached to tlie Report of the Commissioners, and 
lots 3 and 4 on that map. being particularly described in said report, 
were set off to Rachel, the wife of Jes.se Steelman. Xo. 3 is on the 
main shore, and is recited as containing 66 acres. Xo. 4 is on. the 
beach and is recited as being on Andrew Steelmau's survey, but in 
fact it is the Daniel Ireland survey of 34 acres called the Garter survey. 
Lot Xo. '> on said map is also particularly described in said report, and 
was set off to Andrew Leeds, and is recited as containing ^47 acres 
more or less. Lot Xo. 6 on that map is particularly described in said 
rei)ort and was set off to Judith Leeds, and was recited as containing 
234 acres more or less. Lots Xo. 7 and 8 on said map are particularly 
described in said report. Xo. 7 is recited as containing 40 acres more 



.'54 History of Atlantic City. 

or less, and lot No. 8 as containing 1.% acres moi'e or less, and were 
set off to Robert B. Leeds. Lot No. 9 on said map is particularly de- 
scribed in said report and was set off to Chalkley S. Leeds, and is reci- 
ted as containing 217 acres more or less. 

The Commissioners certify in their Report that the lands so divided 
and described are all the lands of the late Jeremiah Leeds, in the 
County of Atlantic, of which they could make division. The Report 
bears date 3d of January, 1840, and was approved by the Court on the 
■20th of April of that year. 

On the 31st of March, .1849, by deed of that date of record, in the 
clerk's othce, Atlantic county, in book F of deeds, page Oil, &c., 
Andrew Leeds conveyed to his son, John Leeds, four lots, therein iiar- 
particularly described. 

The first lot is I'ecited as containing 91 acres, being a part of lot 
Xo. 5, on said map of division. The second lot is the undivided one- 
third part of all the salt meadows belonging to the said Andrew Leeds, 
lying to the northward of said lot Xo. •"). The third lot is the undivided 
one-twelfth of the 45 acre survey, hereinbefore mentioned as having 
been made to Samuel Cowley and others. The fourth lot is the one- 
sixth of a 13 25-lOOth acre survey, recited as having been made to 
Jesse Steelman, and others. The fifth lot is the undivided one- 
eighteenth part of a 179 50-lOOth acre survey, made to Daniel B. 
Smith. 

The title to the last three lots abovementioned in nowise affects 
title to land in Atlantic City. 

On the day of the date of the deed last abovementioned, by deed 
of that date of record in the said book, page 607, &c., Andrew Leeds 
conveyed to his son .Tames five lots ; the first being a part of lot 5 in 
said Commissioners' Report, and recited as containing 142 acres more 
or less. 

Lots 2, 3, 4, and 5 in this deed to James Leeds, are described the 
same as lots 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively, in the deed from the said An- 
drew Leeds to his son John. And on the same day that Andrew 
Leeds conveyed to his SODS John and .lames, he by deed of record in 
said book, page (509, &c., conveyed five lots to his son Steelman Leeds. 
Th<^ Mrst lot being the balance of said lot No. •"> in said Commissioners' 
Report, therein recited as containing 210 acres more or less. Lots 2, 
3, 4, and 5 are described the same, respectively, as lots 2, 3, 4 and o, 
in the said Andrew T,eeds' deeds to his said sons John and James, 
respectively. 

The Cii.\mbehlin Tract. 

On the 12th of August, 1852, by deed of that date of record, in 
said clerk's office, in book G of deeds, page 907, &c., Thomas Cham- 
berlin and wife, .loab Cliamberlin and wife, and Frederick Chamberlin 



History of Atlantic City. 



and wife, conveyed a lot, therein particularly described as containing 
131 acres, more or less, to one Francis McManus. In which deed it is 
recited that James Ireland, by deed bearing date the 13th of Septem- 
ber, 1787, and Thomas Latham, by deed dated 20th September. 1790, 
and Christian Holscom, by deed dated 1st September, 1791, conveyed 
the said lot to Thomas Chamberlin the first ; and that the said Thomas 
Chamberlin, by will bearing date the Sth day of September, 1849, de- 
vised the whole of said 131 acres lot to his three sons, the said Thomas, 
Joab, and Frederick. This lot of 131 acres lias for more than a cen- 
tury been known as '"The Chamberlin Tract." The origin of the 
bounds of this 131 acre lot has not been discovered by tlie writer. The 
family names of Thomas and Frederick suggest the probability that 
the Chamberlins were maternally connected with the Steelman family, 
and that as such they were owners of interests in beach lands in com- 
mon with Ireland, Latham, and Holscom, and that they agreed to 
divide by lines, which, in part or in whole, gave rise to the descrip- 
tion copied into the McManus deed. 



First Purchase By the Laxd Company — $17.50 per Acre. 

Ruhama Conover, James Leeds and wife, Richard Hacket and 
Judith his wife (late Juditli Leeds), Robert B. Leeds and wife, John 
Leeds and wife, Chalkley S. Leeds and wife, Mark Reed and wife, by 
their respective deeds, each bearing date the 7th of December, 1852, 
and one other deed, dated the 12th of February, 1853, all of them of 
record in the said clerk's office, in book G of deeds, conveyed to Jona- 
than Pitney and Enoch Doughty, representing the Camden and At- 
lantic Land Company, certain lands particularly described in said 
several deeds at the rate of $17.50 per acre. 

The one from Ruhama Conover conveys a lot of 99. 5t) acres more 
or less, the same being a part of lot No. 2 on the map in said Com- 
missioners' report, and a part of other and adjoining lands of the said 
Ruhama. 

The one from James Leeds conveys a lot of .■59.40 acres more or 
less, the same being a part of the lot conveyed by Andrew Leeds to 
his son, the said James. 

The one from Richard Hacket and wife conveys a lot of 59.10 
acres more or less, the same being part of lot Xo. in said Commis- 
sioners' report. 

The one from Robert B. Leeds conveys two lots of 09.55 acres 
and 16.39 aces more or less, being respectively part of lots 7 and 8 in 
said Commissioners' report. 

The one from Chalkley S. Leeds and wife conveys two lots con- 
taining respectively 34.(30 acres and 20.30 acres, the same being parts 
of lot No. 9 on said map in said Commissioners' report. 



m 



History of Atlantic City. 



The one from Mark Reed and wife conveys a lot containing ISU 
acres more or less, the same being lands conveyed to the said Reed by 
deed bearing date the •2-2d of May, 1842, from Eachel Steelman, 



V'.jiiSir ajCTi l[ I 




The other from Mark Reed and wife conveys a lot containing iOO 
acres more or less, the same being part of the same land tluit Sarah 
Hopkins and Sanuiel Mickel conveyed to James Leeds by deed bear- 
ing date the -J'.tth of Jiuie, ISIO. of record at Woodbury, in book O of 



Hr>r()i:Y of Atlantic City. 37 

deeds, page 117, &c., and which, upon the death of James T.eeds who 
died intestate without children, descended to his brothers and sisters, 
Andrew Leeds, Ruhama Conover and Kachel Steehuan as heirs-at- 
law. Rachel, by deed dated the •22d of May, 1843, conveyed her in- 
terest in the same to Mark Reed, by deed of record in said Clerk's 
office in book D of deeds, page 338, &c. Joseph Conover and Huhama 
his wife and Andrew Leeds conveyed to the said Mark Reed, by deed 
dated 10th of June, 1S4.'{, of record in said office, in book I) of deeds, 
page 338, &c. 

On the 10th day of February, 1854, by deed of that date. Enoch 
Doughty and Jonathan Pitney conveyed to Isaac S. Waterman, all of 
the aforesaid ten lots of land so as aforesaid conveyed to them, and by 
deed d;ited the 11th of August, 18o4, Milicent Leeds, widow of Jere- 
miah Leeds, deceased, conveyed to Isaac S. Waterman and to the 
Camden and Atlantic Land Company, her right of dower in so much 
of the land aforesaid as Jeremiah Leeds died seized of. 

Isaac S. Waterman, by deed of S^eptember 28th, 1854, conveyed to 
the "('amden and Atlantic Land Company," a corporation under the 
laws of the State of New Jersey, all of the land so as aforesaid con- 
veyed to him. 

Francis McManus and wife, by deed bearing date, 30th of April, 
1853, conveyed the Chamberlin tract of 131 acres, to William Xeleigh 
and John G. Michener. 



Dedication of Land for Streets. 

The deed by which the streets of Atlantic City, as delineated on 
a certain plan or map, on which map the deed is endorsed, is dated the 
15th of April, 1§53, and is signed by all the principal owners of land, 
at that time being thirteen names in all. It is of record in said clerk's 
office, in book H, of deeds, page 177, &c., but as the map is not re- 
corded, the record is imperfect. The original has, therefore, lately 
been filed in said office, with several copies of the same. 

Robert B. Leeds and wife, by their deed bearing date the 7th day 
of December, 1853, conveyed to John G. Michener, John P. Rhodes 
and William Neleigh, a lot of 2 36-100 acres ; the same being a part 
of lot Xo. 7 or 8, on the map in said Commissioners' report. 

By deed dated 19th of October, 1854, William Neleigh and wife, 
conveyed the undivided half part of the Chamberlin tract of 131 acres 
to John G. Michener, and by deed of same date the said Xeleigh con- 
veyed his interest in the 2 36-100 acre lot to the said Michener, and by 
deed bearing date the 19th of January, 1855, John P. Rhodes conveyed 
to Ann W. Frink, his interest in the said 2 3G-100 acres. 



i 



yS History of Atlantic City. 

There is a deed of record in the clerk's office, of Atlantic County, 
in book G of deeds, page 438, which deed bears date the 226. day of 
February, 1855, \\ hereby Andrew Leeds undertook to convey to his 
son, John Leeds, the same lot of 01 acres, as Andrew had before con- 
veyfd to him by deed dated 31 st March. 1849. 

Under the title as hereinbefore stated, with such modifications, 
corrections and amplifications, as a more careful study might prove to 
be necessary for strict accuracy, the several large tracts of land here- 
inbefore mentioned, have been subdivided and conveyed during the last 
thirty years, until at present there are probably 2,500 or 3,000 owners 
of real estate in the citv." 



Population dukixo the Eevolitiox. 

At the time of the Kevolutionary war, the population consisted of 
the families of Daniel Ireland, Wm. Boice, and one Stibbs. These 
men, like Ethan Allen, believed in God and the Continental Congress. 
A company of refugees came to the island one night and took Stibbs 
from his home, blindfolded him and compelled him to accompany them 
and render service while they robbed uncle John Winner, a good old 
patriot, on the mainland. 

Three or four caves showing indisputable signs of occupation by 
man, have been discovered in the hills of this island. Dr. Reed's his- 
tory gives the following account : " The mouth of a cave can yet be 
seen below Dry Inlet, where Wm. Day. a deserter from our army in 
the second war with England, found a safe retreat from his pursuers. 
Tlie furrows of his plow are traceable in the little patch of sojl that 
he cultivated near the marsh. After the ratification of peace, the sub- 
terranean home was abandoned to the bats and foxes, and he went in 
search of a gentle sharer of his lot and a more congenial abode. As is 
the general case when young men devote their energies to this end, he 
achieved success and secured that crowniner favor which is as 

'•Perl'ec-t imisic to noble words. ■' 

With the tying of the nuptial noose, as in most instances, terminates 
all tliat is interesting in his career." 



TiiK Eihst Permanent Settler. 

It is agreed upon by all that Jeremiah Leeds was the firet perma- 
nent ."Pettier, though there is some difference as to the exact date of 
first settlement. His eldest living son, Chalkly S. Leeds, present City 
Treasurer, is of the opinion that it was about the year 1783. The his- 
tory of liis various purchases are recorded in the list of land titles 



History of Atlantic City. 30 



herein published. It is conceded that at one time lie owned the island 
save the Chamberlin tract comprising about 131 acres. Tor many 
years he was its only permanent occupant. He first erected a home 
near where the Island House now stands, but later moved it to the 
foot of Massachusetts avenue, on the margin of a road that for many 
years was the main highway from the inlet to Hill's Creek. Here he 
cleared a farm which afterwards became known as " Leeds' Planta- 
tion." The Atlantic House, the residence of Senator Gardner, and a 
half a hundred cottages are now on the site of this " plantation." The 
crops were chiefly corn and rye. The abundance of the harvest is in- 
dicated by the saying of the shallopmen, who came here for grain, 
that they were " going down to Egypt to buy corn. " He gave consid- 
erable attention to the raising of stock, and as an item to denote the 
changes in the times he made willing sales of three-year-old steers for 
the small sum of eight dollars. As late as 1835, he only paid fifty-four 
cents a day for labor. Here the old pioneer tilled the soil long before 
the whistle of the locomotive sounded in these quarters. He was 
content with the world and yearned for none of its follies. 

"Happy the iiuiu whose wish and t-mo. 

A few paternal acres bouncl, 
Content to breathe its native air 
In his own <>round." 



Fish and Game. 

Fish and game were abundant then. As an illustration we will 
quote from a paper by Mr. R. B. Leeds, son of Jeremiah, read 
before the Literary Association in this city, on Saturday evening, 
December, 1875: 

"I will tell you of some big shots said to have been made by former 
sportsmen. One gunner, I liave been told, killed seven black ducks 
and three muskiats, all at one shot. Another killed twenty-six black 
ducks, and they were all drakes except one, and that was a loon. I can 
recollect more than forty yeai's back, but I do not remember when 
those big shots were made. Perhaps it was in 18-28, the year old Hic- 
kory was first elected President of the United States. One rnore noted 
man, Mr. President, and I am done with the ancients. He killed a 
mess of birds and a mess of ducks, caught a mess of fish, caught 
twenty bushels of oysters, and whipped a man, all before break- 
fast." 



40 



Hi^^TORY OF Atlantic City. 



At that time immense flocks of snipe and ducks settled in the 
ponds which were numerous on the Island. Many wild ducks have 
been killed where the United States Hotel and Congress Hall now 
stand. A big pond in the rear of where Schaufler's Hotel now is. was 
a favorite resort for snipe. The territory between Maryland and South 
Carolina Avenues, from Atlantic Avenue to the meadows, was known 
as '^Squawk Town," from the numberless flocks of squawks which 
nightly roosted there. The land was low and swampy and covered 
with an undergrowth of small trees, vines and briars that made the 
place almost inaccessible to man. Ryan Adams, who settled here in 
ls;')3, at an entertainment given in this city, gave an amusing accf»unt 
of liis adventures in this liabitation of the squawks. 



i i V .• ' ('^ 







"**** 



r- 



•^«C '3 



AT THE INLET. 



He said that he gathered there on one occasion a half of a bushel 
of eggs. Mr. Jeremiah Leeds fired into a flock and killed forty-eight 
of tliem, A few years prior to tliis a number of rabbits and quail 
were liberated. The rabbits multiplied rapidly and became noted for 
being different from the rest of tlieir species, in tliat none of them 
were ever trapped or snared, showing either a superior sagacity or a 
plentifursupply of food. Foxes burrowed in the hills, and minks, musk- 
rats, loggerheads, terrapins and snakes — black snakes, garter snakes 
and adders, and liop toads, were in the list of fauna. It is remarkable 
that there never were any lizards or bullfrogs. Water fowl were as 



History of Atlantic City. 41 

thick as flies in summer. Peter Adams, a son of Kyan Adams, killed 
twenty-one wild geese in Kainbow Bay. The meadows resounded with 
tlie cackle of the mud hen, and their eggs, a half a century ago, were 
gathered on the meadows by the peck. Willets, plover, gray backs, 
bulls eyes* yellow legs, tell tales, etc., were shot on the meadows skirt- 
ing tlie city, and taken home in a wheelbarrow. Guuning and fishing 
was largely the means of livelihood. As they repaired to the bay 
tlie fishermen of that early time could appropriately sing : 

"There we'll ilrop our lines, and gather 

Old ocean's treasures in, 
Wher'er the mottled mackerel 

Turns up a steel-dark fin. 
The sea's our field of harvest. 

Its scaly tribes our gain. 
We'll reap the teeming waters 

As at home they reap the plain."' 



Salt Works. 

In 1812, during the war, salt works were established at the inlet, 
and were in successful operation for more than twenty-five years. The 
average yield of salt, when properly attended, was eight hundred 
bushels per annum. A neglect of the works led to litigation, and this,, 
to the inevitable sequence of ruin and destruction. 



Beach Parties and the First Bath House. 

Long before the buildhig of the railroad the young people of the 
mainland came here in what they termed " Beach Parties. " Dr. Reed 
gives the following amusing account of one of these excursions : 
"They came in boats, and as they rounded 'Rum Point,' (in the 
inlet), they hoisted their flags at mast-head to signal to Aunt Judith 
Ryan the preparation of dinner. Down on the beach at low tide they 
danced to the strains of Fisher's hornpipe, discoursed by a single 
fiddle. There was none of your mincing or smirking, but genuine 
earnestness — a regular jump up and down, cross over Jonathan and 
figure in Jemima terpsichorean fling ! At high tide they bathed. 
The hilarity of the occasion culminated when the young men carried 
tlie blushing and screaming maidens to the tops of the steep sand hills, 
and tying their feet together rolled them down to the water's edge 



42 History of Atlantic City. 



Where shall we find in the refinement of the present age compensation 
for the loss of this rude jollity V They had no bath-houses, but went 
among the hills to disrobe. Tliis was inconvenient, and some liberal 
spirits ordered Uncle Ryan Adams to build them one. When they 
came again they started down to take a dip in the breakers, and w^hen 
nearly there it occurred to one of the party that they had not procured 
the key to the bath-house. A halt was made and a messenger sent 
for it. He returned saying there was no lock on the door. They re- 
sumed their march and found to their dismay that the new building 
was a frail open-work structure of brush." 



How' A Fortune was Missed. 

Fifty thousand people jmake a large summer crowd in Atlantic 
City, or most any other place for that matter. The only point in the 
above observation is to draw more pointedly the comparison between 
the Atlantic City of to-day and what it was in 1850. Tn conversation 
with a prominent national bank president and railway director, who 
amassed his wealth by wise investments in promising speculations, he 
casually remarked : "Thirty-three years ago I first heard of what 
was then deemed a chimerical project, the building of a railroad from 
Pliiladelphia to the sea. A route survey had already been commenced, 
and the engineers were at their work. I put my horse to a carriage 
and went down to the old Star Hotel on Dock street, opposite the 
Exchange, where I found Charley Bender, the proprietor, and invited 
him to join me in a drive. We crossed to Camden, and the first day 
dined at Windsor with an old friend, Hon. Andrew K. Hay, who had 
just served one term in Congress, and declared there was not money 
enough to induce him to accept a re-election. The next day we 
reached Absecon, where we hired a waterman to take us over to Ab- 
secon Beach. It was a rough looking place, the sand hills or drifts 
being covered with coarse, stunted grass, mixed with briars. Only 
two boarding houses were visible, one called liidloe's, and another be- 
longing to Mr. McClees. At least that is all I can recall to mind. 
I.eeds offered to sell us a large tract of the most valuable land, about 
one hundred acres, for $17.50 per acre. The most of it is now worth 
$1 per foot. The old man ridiculed the idea of a railroad ever being 
constructed across the meadows, and was willing to sell. I had $1,000 
in my pocket, and was as anxious to l)uy, but Charley Bender was 
taken sick and I had to take him home before we concluded the pur- 
vchase. His attack pi'oved to be the gout, from which he never recov- 



HisTOKY OF Atlantic City. 



4:? 



ered. The same night we started for home the railroad survey was 
completed, and the construction of the railroad shortly after begun. 
We had a very narrow escape from making §100,000 each. 



An Old Land Mark Obliterated. 

We cannot ascertain the date, but before the railroad was built a 
terrific northeast storm obliterated Brigantine Inlet, and so changed 
the channel of Absecon Inlet that it began to cut away Point of Beach 
(the upper end of the island) and washed away Look-Out-Hill," a high 
pyramid of sand, upon whose summit the children of the past genera- 
tion assembled to count the vessels as thev came into the inlet. 




44 History of Atlantic City. 



CHArXEK II. 



Dk. Pitney the Founder of Atlantic City. 

Dean Swift once said, "That the man who made two blades of 
grass grow where only one grew before, was a greater benefactor of 
Ills race than the greatest writer on metaphysics the world had ever 
seen." What inestimable service then did Dr. Jonathan E. Pitney 
render his fellow men when in the summer of 1845, standing on a hill 
top about where the Seaside House now stands, he declared that this 
should become the El Dorado of the Atlantic coast. Looking about 
him he recognize<^l the superior advantages of the island for a summer 
resort. Surely no scene could have l)een more lovely. Before the tali 
and venerable doctor lay the inflnite expanse of the great ocean, 
around him the grass clad hill tops and on his left the beautiful inlet 
winding its way towards the villages of the " Shore '" and the orchards 
across the bay. He saw a splendid surf, compared to which the feeble 
break of the mild billow upon the Hat sands of Brighton, Margate or 
Ranisgate were tame. The bathing machine on wheels in which the 
English were backed down to the very edge of the ocean would be 
shaken into smithereens by the energetic and demonstrative break of 
the bounding billows that dashed themselves into briny pearls dressed 
insimshine upon the beautiful beach at the feet of the doctor — a beach 
to which the ocean was a silver fringe. 

Fittingly the doctor could have exclaimed : 

" Behold the sea ! 
Tlie opaline, the plentiful, the strong, 
Yet beautiful as is the rose of June. 
Fresh as the triekling rainbow of .Inly. 
Sea full of food, the nourisher of kinds, 
Purjjer of earth and medieini' of men, 
Creating a sweet cliniate by its breath. 
Washing out harms and griefs fiom memory : 
And in its malhematic ebb anil (low. 
(iiving a hint of that which changes not." 



History of Atlaktic City. 45 

There seems to be little doubt that Dr. Pitney was tlie real 
founder of Atlantic City, — the spirit that first appreciated its won- 
derful curative powers, and placed effectively before capitalists its 
attractions as a watering-place — dryness of atmosphere, bathing facili- 
ties, gunning, fishing and sailing privileges, proximity to Philadel- 
phia, etc. It had long been known to a few, who had struggled 
through bush and sand, in slow-going teams, as a great health lift, but 
to the multitude it was known, if known at all, as a lonely region, so 
inaccessible and remote from the line of the march of em])ire as to be 
seemingly secure from the intrusion of population, and totally beyond 
the reach of man's transforming energy. But Dr. Pitney, who came, 
to Absecon village in 1820, was often called to the island in the dis- 
charge of his professional duties, and he never missed an opportmiity , 
of strolling along the beach to breathe the exhilerating air that then 
swept in from the sea. He marked the continuous cliain of sand-hills 
that then ran along the beach just above high-tide line, which was 
then about 100 feet south of what is now Pacific Avenue, and recog- 
nized what a charming place it would be for summer homes. A desire 
sprang up in his breast to make the delectable spot accessible to the 
great business centres of tlie Union, and more particularly to Phila- 
delphia. Imbued with a firm faith in its immense value as a seaside 
resort, he saw that railway commimication only was necessary to 
cause the waste place to blossom as the rose. His faith was strong 
and his enthusiasm correspondingly great. It was a nugget of gold 
buried from the sight of man. Here was the hospitality of landscape 
and the peace of the soul — freedom from trave and business grides. 
Here was an atmosphere that would plant the rose of health on the 
faded cheek, and send an electric fiush through the system that would 
give to the lagging gait an elasticity and buoyancy that no other 
agency could procure. All of this hidden treasure doubtless impressed 
the doctor with the fact that 



'More serviiuts wiiit on mm 
Thiiii ho'U tiike uotic-e of." 



The doctor first made known his determination to organize a railroad 
company to General Doughty, of Absecon, who zealously seconded 
his effort. Most of the old residents of this section opposed the 
matter, .however, and doubted the practicability of the project. Quite 
a number said it would be absolutely impossible to get a train of cars 
across the meadows. But Dr. Pitney was a man of iron will, and 
when he put his mind to a thing, he generally carried it out. Ac- 
cordingly he applied to the Legislature for a charter for a railroad 
from Camden to Absecon Beach, but was foiled. 



4() 



History of Atlantic City. 



Charter for a Railroad. 

Later, the doctor went to Trenton himself, and after a contest, the 
necessary legislation was procured on the 19th of March, 1S52. The 
survej' was completed on the 18th of June, 1852, by Robert Osborne, 
L. Rowan and others, and the engineering party became tliat day 
the first bathers that had travelled along the line of the Camden «S: 
Atlantic Railroad. 








(•ottaok of -Mk. ^\^'Sl. c. iioiston. 



Oi:oani/ation of tup: Camden .t Atlantic Railroad Co. 

On the 24th of June, 18r)2, the Camden and Atlantic Jlailroad 
Company was organized, and the books for the sale of stock were 
opened at the Arch Street House, Philadelphia, and the shares all 
sold and books closed the same day. The first officers of the road 
were : President, John C. Dacosta ; Directors, Stephen Colwell. Di". 
Jonathan Pitney, Samuel Richards, Andrew K. Ilay. Joseph Porter, 



History of Atlantic City. 47 

Enoch Doughty, Wm. Fleming, Wm. Coffin ; Secretary and Treasurer, 
J. Engle Negus. The survey of the route was presented to the Board 
of Directors by Mr. R. B. Osborne, the lirst engineer of the Company, 
on the ilst of June, 1852, which was adopted. Mr, Osborne has 
kindly furnished us with the following information concerning the 
construction of the road : 

" On the 31st of August, 1852, 1 submitted to the Board proposals 
for the construction of the whole road, based on estimated fixed rates 
per mile ; and on the 1st of September, 1852, those proposals were 
accepted, subject to certain changes of the line to accommodate the 
Waterford manufactories and Spring Garden, and subject, also, to 
other requirements, all of which were not completed till after the con- 
tract was signed on the 4th of March, 1858, Thischange was a detour 
that shortened my long tangent some ten miles, and left only the 
present straight line of twenty-five continuous miles. 

On the 2d of September, 1852, the construction work of the road 
was sub-let to Mr. P, O'llielly, and he received his first bid from sub- 
contractors, for sections of one mile each, on the 4th of September, 
1852. 

There was no formal breaking ground ; the contractors w ere set 
to work as soon as their houses could be erected, and in September, 
1852, the construction by grading was started. 

The first estimate, returned December, 1852, was for work on 
eight sections between sections four and thirty-two, and amounted to 
a payment of $10,000. 

The crossing of the Camden and Amboy rails at Camden by those 
of this road was laid by night in the month of July, 1853. 

On the 20th of June, 1853, the whole management of the contract 
work was given up by Mr. O'llielly to Mr. John H, Osborne, Civil 
Engineer, and previously Manager of the Bichmond and Danville 
Railroad, who completed the three-fourths of the whole contract that 
had not been touched. On the 11th of September of the same year, 
this gentleman was also chosen by the directors as their Resident En- 
gineer for the benefit of his advice, and for the more active manage- 
ment and superintendence on their behalf of the progress of the work, 
and for the return of the estimates. 

Track was laid on the road between Camden and Haddontield, 
and also at Absecon, during August, 1853. Passenger trains com- 
menced running from Camden to Haddonfield in August, 1853, and to 
Winslow, twenty-seven miles, regularly in January, 1854. The 
wharves at this date at Camden and the station grounds there wei'e 
nearly complete. In February, 1854, a high storm tide was i. riven 
across the meadows and damaged the grading of the road-bed ; and on 
the 16th of April following, after the work had been replaced, a 
Northeast storm and spring tide made a clean sweep of the same 



48 History of Atlantic City. 



work. This class of road-bed was then abandoned and the track was 
laid on the original sod except at the thoroughfares where it has rested 
in spite of storm and flood for five and twenty years. It is right to 
say the railroad company bore theAvhole expense of the third renewal. 
It made good the guarantee given by the engineer to his directors in 
1852, and the locomotives make their trips now at their usual speed. 
The whole work w-as completed in time for the opening celebration." 



How It Was Named Atlantic City. 

The founders of Atlantic City were as wise as the ancient monks 
and nobles, in the selection of the most Ijeautiful and commanding 
sites for their habitations. Time has amply verified the wisdom of 
the choice of this beach as the site for a great and beautiful health 
resort. As a monument of the judgment and forethought of its 
founders, Atlantic City sits grandly at the margin of the sea, the 
greatest and most populous ocean resort in America. The same sea 
rolls in. immutably the same, but the iron.Avand, the touch of civiliz- 
ation, the art of man, has wrought a great change in the land. From 
out a barren waste, we behold the magic sphynx-like uprisal of a stir- 
ring, pretty town. 

The rare fortune attained in the selection of a good foundation 
upon which to build a city, the selection of an appropriate and pleas- 
ing name became the next matter for important consideration. 
"Ocean City" was suggested, "Seabeach," "Surfing," "Strand," 
"Bath," and other names were urged. The adage that "there is 
nothing in a name " evidently had little weight in the counsels of fhat 
day. The honor of naming the city seems to belong to the engineer, 
Mr. E. B. Osborne, for, at the celebration of the twenty-lifth anniver- 
sary of the Camden and Atlantic, in this city, that gentleman read a 
paper, afterwards published, in which he said : 

"The centre line of the railroad was run parallel to the general 
line of the beach for a distance from the inlet southward of over two 
and a quarter miles, for the purpose of fixing a line that would be suit- 
alile for a base on which to plan the village, and which would permit 
the streets to be carried on in their proper directions whenever requi- 
site to enlarge the village plot. On this as a base, December, 1852, 
under the instructions of the directors, I proceeded to lay out the 
plot of the proitosed Bathing Milage. This plan was completed and 
submitted to a full board in the middle of January, 18.")3. 

"When before the board, I unrolled a great and well-finished map 
of the proposed new bathing place, they saw in large letters of gold, 
stretching over the waves that were delineated thereon as breaking on 



History ov Atlantic City 



41> 



Absecou beach, the words, '-Atlantic City." This title was at once 
approved of by the board. It was unanimously adopted, and Atlantic 
City that day came into existence on paper, and in thirteen and a half 
months afterward, viz., on the 3d of March, lS.-)4, was created by ac- 




of incorporation, a city in reality. I have ever claimed, and do so 
now, that this name created in the minds of men throughout the 
Union a certain interest in this city, and this interest it was sought 
to further secure by giving to each State its own avenue, and hence 



30 History of Atlantic City. 



the name of every State from Maine to Iowa, to-day designates the 
avenues that run East and West, while the general parallelism of the 
shore of the Atlantic with the main line for 2.3 miles suggested the 
names of all the great oceans of the world for all the avenues running 
Xortli and South." Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic, and Baltic Avenues 
run parallel with tlie ocean front ; Atlantic being 100 feet wide : 
Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Virginia, i^O feet ; Pacific, Arctic, 
and Baltic, 00 feet ; Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Khode Island, 
Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, South 
Carolina, Tennessee, Xew York, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, 
Michigan, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, C4eorgia, Florida. Texas 
and California (cross streets), 50 feet in width. 

Mr. Osborne continuing, said : " Its proud name is for the nation ; 
it has made her prominent, and will, every year of her existence, prove 
more and more appropriate as she reaches her manifest destiny — the 
first, most popular, most health-giving and most inviting watering- 
place, and be, as she is already termed, the City by the Sea. 

It is true, then, that there is .something in a name, and I may be 
permitted, without egotism, to say I am proud of having christened 
her and her avenues, and stamped on her a dignity that my old 
departed friends, Messrs. Pitney and Doughty little dreamed of when 
they talked together on the scheme of getting up a " bathing village."' 
to be called Absecon." 



The Purchase axd Laying Oct of Atlantic Avenve. 

Early in February, IS."):], after the plan of the city had been adopted 
a connnittee was sent down to Absecon, composed of Dr. Jonathan 
Pitney, a director, and Robert Frazer, the faithful and eriicient secre- 
tary and treasurer of the Company. Dr. Pitney was acquainted with 
the Messrs. Cordery, Adams, Patterson, Bartlett,Carter, Bead, Bowen 
Chamberlin, Leeds, and other landowners on the island. Mr. Frazer 
took with him a draft of tlie plot of the new city. These gentlemen 
were instructed to confer with the owners, (who had been notified De- 
cemV)er 11, '.V2, that commissioners would be appointed to assess the 
damages), and obtain possession of the land for the formation of the 
roadbed on Atlantic Avenue, arranged on the plot to be the great 
Hiyliwaif for the accommodation of the main tracks of the railway. 
To alTord ample room for the travel of hundreds of pleasure carriages, 
and for tlie rai)id transit of trains, tiie engineer had projected Atlantic 
avenue as the lionhcitrd of tlie city, at at an increased width of 50 feet, 
making it 15(1 H'ft wide. 



History of Atlantic City. 51 

But the views of the landholders could not be brought to entertain 
hopes that such provision for a great future growth was necessary or 
wise ; they protested against this width and were willing to give only 
100 feet. The Company had to yield, although the width required by 
the railroad was shown to be not less at any point than 20 feet ; leaving 
for the sidewalks and vehicles only 40 feet on each side of the railroad ; 
and wherever a siding would be found necessary, contracting one of 
these widths left to but 30 feet, to accommodate sidewalk and carriage 
way. Against the engineer's earnest protest the views of the land- 
owners prevailed. Atlantic avenue was reduced to 100 feet, and the 
" State " avenues were brought down to the present width of 50 feet. 
A plot was then prepared with these alterations, and was staked out 
by resident engineer in charge, Richard F. Stack, who began work on 
May 8th, 1853. With some slight alterations in the curve connecting 
Atlantic and Maine avenues, leading to the inlet, the plan was com- 
pleted in .Tune, 1853. 

The grading of Atlantic avenue was started in May, 1853, with 
men from the neighborhood. The grading of this portion of tlie road- 
bed was finished on the 2d of Xovember, 1853. The track-laying com- 
menced May 29th, 1854, and enough for the immediate wants of the 
road, after its opening from about one-quarter of a mile above the 
United States Hotel, was finished by the last of June, 1854. 



Formation of a Land Company. 

Soon after the organization of the Railroad Company, the otfxcers 
of that Company formed a Land Company. Dr. Pitney and Enoch 
Doughty were commissioned to make the purchases. By appointment 
the owners of land sailed over to Absecou and met by appointment the 
Commissioners at Aunt Hannah Shellingsforth's Hotel. Tlie land- 
owners had agreed among themselves to demand $25 per acre for their 
land. The Commissioners had agreed to pay only $15. The dif- 
ference led to protracted and heated discussion. The property holders 
retired for consultation. It seemed for a time as if it would be im- 
possible to reconcile the difference. They debated the prospects of the 
new enterprise and the propriety of a reduction to $20 an acre, fixing 
upon that as the lowest sum ; but after further conference with the 
Commissioners, finally split the difference, and sold a large part of the 
present site of Atlantic City for $17.50 per acre. An agreement Avas 
promptly entered into, providing for the dedication of the streets and 
alleys to the public use, and was signed by Robert B. Leeds, Chalkley 
S. Leeds, Ryan Adams, William Xeleigh, Daniel L. Collins, Richard 



o2 



History of Atlaktic Citv. 



Ilackett, John Leeds, Steelmau Leeds, D. D. Rhodes, J. N. Michener; 
and Wm. Coffin, President of the Camden & Atlantic Land Company. 
This map with the agreement appended was mislaid, and for fifteen 
years its whereabouts was a matter of mystery. It was discovered in 
an obscure nook, mutely biding its time, as a true philosopher, in the 
residence of the first Mayor of the city. When found a suit was pend- 
ing against the city upon which this document had an important bear- 
ing. It had been received May 23d, 1854, and recorded in the Clerk's 
office at May's Landing, in Libr. H of deeds, folio 177. 







y:yl. 



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ajjteMV^ ' ;.; 'iriii'i'ii miiiiiiiiniiiiiimj iiiiiiiiiiiniifiiiiiiiiciilll 'i , > >%W^. ' .IPBIliMlllillllllllMlllB ll ||ft'BllljiM|l|!|| 

ATLAXTK ( rrv 1 W KX'l'V VEAliS AGO. 



Opening E\< iusion to thk Sea. 

On Jtdy 1st, 18.")4, the pioneer excursion train stood at the plat- 
form in r'amdeii and steamed forth its greeting to (j(Ki guests — gentle- 
nifu of the iiress from Xew York and Philadelphia and friends from 
town and country, who had assembled to celebrate the completion of 
the line that had occupied two and twenty months in building the 
o8 6-l(» miles of main road. Its opening to public travel was on July 
4. 1854. 



History of Atlantic City. 



The excursion train conveying the 600 guests was composed of 
nine long cars. The " Atsion '" engine was selected for the trip. At 
Waterford, the residence of Judge Porter, one of the directors and 
early friends of the road, a salute of artillery greeted the arrival. Con- 
spicuous also was a large wreath of native Jersey laurels, and wrought 
in the interior of it the words in flowers 

•' Welcome to Waterlbrcl." 

It was a poetic emblem of the faith of the man which had always 
encircled and wreathed around the enterprise. 

It was a refined and modest reminder that the seed sown in faith 
twenty-two months before had germinated, grown, and produced 
good fruit. The green leaves of lavirel will be bright around the 
names of all the guardians and patient laborers and faithful servants 
that brought this work to a full fruition, even long after they them- 
selves are withered and transplanted to a haven that knows no change. 

From Waterford the train, with several additional passengers, 
started for the embryonic Atlantic City. It was the iirst engine with 
passenger train that passed over the entire road, and it reached the 
United States Hotel by 12 3i. Thus with all the stops at the various 
stations to respond to the earnest congratulations of friends, the train 
arrived in two and a half hours from Camden to the Sea. 

At the meeting of the guests of the railroad company in the great 
saloon of the United States Hotel, spirited addresses were made after 
the dinner cloth had been removed. Mr. T. H. Dudley moved for an 
organization of the meeting by the calling of Judge Grier to the chair, 
who appointed the vice presidents, among whom were Henry C. 
Carey, Hon. Abraham Browning, J. C. TenEyck, T. P. Carpenter, 
Robert Morris and many other gentlemen of not*^. The first impres- 
sive address was made by Henry C. Carey, who offered also an appre- 
ciative resolution which was seconded by Mr, Browning in an elociuent 
speech. These were followed by addresses from J. C. TenEyck, Gen. 
Wyncoop, President John C. DaCosta, Mr. Montgomery and Judge 
Grier. 

Thanks by all were earnestly tendered to the President, John C. 
DaCosta, and his respected co-directors, which closed the celebration 
of the 1st day of July, 1854, at Atlantic City. 

The train containing the guests left Atlantic City between 5 and 
r. 31. and arrived safely at Camden about 8. p. m. 



IXCORPORATIOX OF THE CiTY, 

On the third day of March, 1854, the charter of Atlantic City was 
approved by the Governor, to take effect on the 1st of May following. 
Jurisdiction of tlie old city proper began with a line on the south side 



:)4 History of Atlantic City. 

of California avenue, running to the ocean, thence eastwardly to the 
east side of Absecon Inlet at high water mark ; thence northwest- 
wardly to the west bank of Clam Creek ; thence following the west 
Itaiik of this creek to its first prominent fork ; thence in a straight line 
parallel with Baltic avenue, still in a westwardly course to the south 
side of California avenue ; thence to the place of beginning, the entire 
tract containing six hundred acres, according to the report of the city 
assessors. The Jurisdiction of the city was extended as far aown the 
beach as Dry Inlet in 1869, through the efforts of Hon. Jacob Keim, 
who was then a member of the State Legislature. The city was never 
more ably and zealously represented than by this gentleman, in whose 
breast the best interests of the city were always paramount, and who 
ranks among the most honorable and influential of our wise and pro- 
gressive citizens. 

At the time of the approval of the charter of the city there were 
not twenty-tive substantial houses on the Island. The United States 
Hotel was not yet completed, work having been begun on it April 
•20th, 1853. The Surf House was in course of construction. Bedloe's 
Hotel, built by Thomas H. Bedloe, who subsequently became one of 
the most progressive and respected citizens of the place. Cottage 
lletreat. owned by Manassa McClees, later one of the most enter- 
prising and intluential residents; the "Atlantic" and the "Old 
Ocean" were about the only houses ready for guests when the 
whistle of the locomotive announced the arrival of the first train. 
They have all since been enlarged, the name of Cottage Retreat 
changing to the " Metropolitan," and the name of the " Old Ocean " 
remaining only in memory. The Central House, Michael Lawler, 
owner, for many years a public spirited citizen, was built in 185p. 
Tlie old original building still stands in the rear of the New Central, 
at the corner of Atlantic and Kentucky avenues ; Doyle's " Columbia, ' ' 
still remaining on Kentucky avenue, was built in 1858. George Hay- 
day, one of our most valuable citizens, built the Exchange on the site 
of the present Camden and Atlantic Depot, in 1856. Mr. Scliaufler, 
whose enterprise and success is as remarkable as deserving, moved a 
small building^from near the inlet to the site of the present fine hotel 
known as " Scliaufier's," in 1857; Elias Cleaver, one of the best 
known of the pioneer settlers, put up the Tammany House, on North 
Carolina avenue, in 185S. 

Light House cottage was built in 1858; White House in 1859; 
Levy's cottage in 1856; Land Company's cottages, (first built) on 
Tennessee Avenue, near the beach, in 1854 ; Louis Grosholz's cottage 
in 1855 ; James Brown's cottage in 1855 ; Gibson's cottage in 1855 ; 
Hon. Edward Bettle's cottage in 1855 ; Col. Wm. Christian's cottage 
in 1855: Wm. Grosholz's cottage in 1858; Richard Wright's cottage in 
1858 ; Spray cottage in 1S58 ; Mr. Wm. Warnock built the cottage on 



56 History of Atlantic City. 

Pennsylvania Avenue, now occupied by Mr. Thos. C. Hand, in 1859. 
Congress Hall was built in 185/ by Thos. C. Garrett, who had a lum- 
ber yard at the inlet. Tlie water on the site of Congress Hall was 
three feet deeji. Tlie frame of Cottage Ketreat was shipped from 
Philadelphia and arrived after much delay owine to a storm. A store 
Avas opened in Cottage Retreat soon after it was completed. Mrs. 
[McClees, the present estimable proprietor gives many pleasant reminis- 
cences of the early struggles of the new resort. The United States 
Hotel was opened on July 1st, 1854. The old part of the house was 
built by Amos Bullock, who began the work in 185o. The house was 
owned originally by Mr, Wm. Neleigh, who afterwards admitted Mr. 
Mitchner to partnersliip. Brown & Woelpper finally became owners 
of the house and remained in control until 1883, when Mr. Benj. H. 
Brown became sole proprietor. The house has had as tenants Mr. 
Neleigh, Col. AVebb, Geo. Hinkle, Jere. McKibbin, Selfridge & Davis, 
Brown & Woelpper, Wm. Andrews. When it was built a ridge of 
sard hills obstructed the ocean view from the first floor. The avenue 
known as State Street was opened 20 feet wide in 18,50. The wing was 
Imilt in I860. 



FiKST Electiox. 

According to the provisions of the city charter the first election was 
held at the house of Ryan Adams, corner Arctic and Maryland Avenues, 
on May 1st, 1854. Mr. R. B. Leeds, now proprietor of the Auburn 
House, remembers the incident well. There were probably twenty- 
one legal votes here then, eighteen of which were cast in a cigar box, 
"fastened and secured ■' with yellow tape. A small hole had been cut 
in the lid of the box wliich Avas put on a table. Into this simple 
receptacle our first legislators cast their votes. Politics were not an 
issue. This principle was eschewed entirely, and probably the future 
welfare of the city was never more carefully considered or a more 
honest expression ever deposited more fairly in a ballot box than on 
this occasion. Wm. Neleigh was one of the judges of election. The 
following named persons were elected : Mayor, Chalkley S. Leeds ; 
Alderman, Daniel J. Rhodes ; Councilmen, AVilliam Neleigh, Steel- 
man Leeds, .lames Leeds, Richard Hackett,John Leeds, Ryan Adams. 
The city government was then composed of eight men only. The city 
charter was so amended in '75 as to admit of .'j more councilmen. The 
first meeting of this council was held on .Tune 29, 1854, at the United 
States Hotel. Tliere was not a (luorum iu'esent and an organization 
was not effected. Mr. Neleigh was chosen secretary of this meeting 
and was refpiested to notify the officials elect that for the purpo.se of 



History of Atlantic City. 57 

effecting a permanent organization a meeting would be held on July 
."M following. On this date a full board responded to the call. It was 
then discovered that there was no one in the place authorized to ad- 
minister the oath of office. The organization therefore was delayed 
until an opinion could be had from Judge Carpenter, of Camden, as 
to whether the mayor, alderman and recorder would have to be 
commissioned by the governor. The opinion of the judge resulted in the 
alderman elect being qualified at May''s Landing, who subsequently 
administered the oath to his fellow officers at a meeting held Septem- 
ber 6, 1854, four months after they were elected. On the following 
day, September 7th, another meeting was held, at which Thomas C. 
Garrett, present tax collector, was chosen city clerk. The city govern- 
ment now was ready for work, but had only two months to serve be- 
fore the second election, which according to the charter had to be held 
in November at the time of the eeneral election for State officers. The 
first election in the new city by the sea was indeed a memorable occa- 
sion, although it may not have appeared so to those who participated 
in it. But "who can see in the mewling infant the fair Madonna or 
the giant Hercules?'" It was the birthday of Atlantic City. The 
advent was tame and the cradle rude, but the celebrity of the city 
destined to become the most popular seaside resort upon the American 
continent will transfer its homeliness and irradiate it with the charm 
of the poetic significance. Dr. Reed's history, in referring to this 
initial election, says : " The politician's dreain of Utopia was realized ; 
there was an office for every aspirant ; and all went smoothly as a 
meadow-lark. But unhappily for the peace and harmony of election 
day it was not long before the increase of population made the number 
of votes exceed the offices to be distributed and discord and strife 
ensued. The result of a contest was sometimes decided by a single 
vote, and excitement ran high. There was a glorious majority ! Per- 
sonal ambitions and prejudice, and party zeal were of the sort that 
riots and revolutions are made of. On one occasion pistols were to be 
seen lying on the table in front of the judges, and the next day a huge 
knotty stick resembling the war club of a New Zealander, was found 
concealed beneath a bench. The animosities engendered lasted 
throughout the year, and were so implacable that they can be only 
compared to the hatred of the Mussulman, who sees in the falling 
meteor an arrow of wrath and exclaims with pious fervor : ' May it 
transfix the soul of the enemy of Mahomet. ' " 



The City's Seal. 

The only business transacted by the City Council until after the 
summer of 1855, was the granting of several licenses, taxing the vehi- 
cles of non-residents, the passage of a by-law, an ordinance to regu- 



68 History of Atlantic City. 

late bathing, fixing tlie sum to be assessed on real estate at six hundred 
dollars, and a resolution by Alderman Rlioades, '•' that a seal, with ap- 
propriate design, be obtained for Atlantic City." For four consecutive 
months, at every meeting of Council, v^'hich met at the residence of 
Mayor Leeds, weekly or bi-weekly, the committee appointed to procure 
the seal reported progress. Imagine the jocundity of the city fathers, 
when, December 11, 1855, the report was made that the long-looked 
for seal had come at last. 




THE ELEPHANT DOWN THE BEACH. 



The temptation here presents itself to crumble the Dead Sea 
apple into ashes on their lips, for the brimming cup of delectation was 
dashed to pieces by the explanation that, although obtained, it was at 
Burrs' hotel, in Absecou. The report was reluctantly accepted, and 
the committee ordered continued, but there is no further trace of the 
seal in the written record. 



The First Ordinance. 

The very first ordinance passed by Comicil was in reference to a 
subject that has ever since been a source of difficulty, and in these 
primitive times caused much wrangling and acrimonious feeling — the 
license (Hiestion, Some favored granting the privilege of vending in- 
toxicating liciuors to every one who made application, pleading the 
hungry maw of an empty exchequer, no matter how small the booth 
or mean the shanty of the applicant. Others saw the folly of this, 
and fought with varying success against it. The price demanded for 
a license to sell liquor was from S25 to $50. Thos. Bedloe secured the 
.first license 



History of Atlantic City. 59 



If any one fails to see in this the dawn of civilization, the scales 
will fall from his eyes when informed that the very next act of this 
legislative body, whose solemn oath to support the Constitution of the 
United States from its kinship to a traversity, provokes a smile, was to 
appoint a committee "to take such preliminary measures as appeared 
necessary for the erection of a suitable building as a jail for the use of 
Atlantic City." These were the first golden rays falling upon the way 
cleared by pioneers for the erection of churches and school-houses. 



The Second Council. 

Mayor Chalkley S. Leeds had been re-elected and John T. An- 
drews chosen City Clerk. Mr. Leeds growing weary of the duties and 
vexations of the executive office, resigned May 26th, 1850, and Eichard 
Hackett was elected by Council to fill the unexpired term, but speedily 
realizing that " uneasy lies the head that wears a crown," he put aside 
the robes of office the twenty-third of the succeeding month, and John 
G. W. Avery became his successor. After the election of Mr. Avery, 
Council convened statedly at Cottage Ketreat. The City authorities 
struggled courageously with the obstacles that hedged them in. Hills 
were to be cut down, ponds were to be filled, ditches to be dug and 
streets to be opened, while a state of impecuniosity shackled their 
energies and defeated their purposes. Property holders, though anxious 
that their lots should increase in value, were loath to part with their 
money to pay for the grading and graveling of the streets ; and ordi- 
nances were passed requiring the performance of this duty, only to be 
neglected and re-passed, to be still disregarded. To obviate the want 
of means, city scrip was issued February loth, 1850, to the amount of 
$1,500. The city government was equal to the emergency, however, 
and some of the records of that day show wise and careful legislation. 
Indeed, succeeding councils have shown no better administrative 
ability. The governing spirits of that primitive time had not the en- 
couraging influe)ice of a brilliant prospect. There were great obstacles 
to overcome — great improvements to be made. Visitors familiar with 
the attractions of Cape May and Long Branch came, and save the fea- 
ture of a beautiful beach, expressed their disappointment in plain 
terms. There was little prospect, by many, of the rapid growth and 
charming transformation which had been accomplished, and a married 
couple, who had bought a lot before seeing it, and come to settle 
thereon, finding only a heap of white sand on a secluded beach, did as 
the sorrowing captives under the willows by the rivers of Babylon — sat 
down and wept when they remembered the home that was far away. 
But the tree had taken root and was putting forth its branches that 
was to overshadow its kind, and bud and bloom to the joy of a work- 
weary and heart-oppressed people. 



60 Htstoky of Atlantic City. 



The First Jail. 

In compliance with the request cited above, the Jail Committee 
made a report, resulting in the erection of a prison in a clump of woods 
about where the Vermont House now stands. It was a small one- 
storj' structure made of thick planks bolted to heavy timber. It con- 
tained four cells and resembled a long cabin. In this builcfing evil- 
doers, chiefly excursionists, were confined, until the prisoners, multi- 
plying with the population, rendered a more commodious '' lock-up " 
necessary. The old jail was then left to the bats, until it became the 
domicile of "old Daddy Perkins "and family, notorious characters, 
who subsequently held forth in a slab cabin without a floor, on the old 
inlet road, called " Swampoodle. " About this time the old Ocean 
House, then at the corner of Arctic and Baltic avenues, since 
improved and enlarged, became the city's jail. The rooms on the 
third floor were used for this purpose, while those on the first and 
second floors were occupied by tenants, the larger room in the corner 
of the building becoming the council chamber. The prisoners were 
secured against escape by being chained to a ring securely bolted to 
the floor in the centre of the room. We will relate an incident that 
happened in this connection, we think during the summer of 1P(>5. 
A guest of the Eagle Hotel, then standing on the site of the present 
Stockton, became involved in a quarrel with a man at the excursion 
house and assaulted him, inflicting rather serious wounds. He was 
tried before the Mayor, and the evidence proving him the aggressor 
he was sentenced to imprisonment, to await the action of the Grand 
Jury. He was a fellow of pleasing address, had influential friends 
and abundant means to pay for luxuries, which he generously divided 
among his iellow prisoners. He ingratiated himself into the good 
graces of the tenants of the house, and through fine cigars and hospi- 
tality lavishly dispensed, became popular with the policemen. Nobody 
appearing before the Grand Jury for prosecution, he was acquitted, 
when it transpired that during almost the entire term of his imprison- 
ment he had been liberated every night by one of the tenants on the 
first floor. After a few hours' sport with his friends he would cautiously 
return to his cell, and remain during the day. "One night,'' said he, 
" when I returned I found my cell door fastened. I was locked out of 
jail. I did not know the exact location of my friend's rooms, and for 
a moment was in a quandary. Finally, I went to the residence of 
Constable Gaskill, awakened him about three o'clock in the morning, 
and told him I wanted to get into jail. After I had explained matters 
he invited me in, put me to bed and took me over to the lock-up next 
day." The Mr. Gaskill referred to was Constable of Atlantic City 
i'or twenty years. 



History of Atlantic City. 



OL 



History of the Lighthouse. 



To people who would study topography from aii elevated stand- 
point, there are but four other places upon this footstool of the great 
Architect, where they can study it as they can do, from the great lan- 
tern of the lighthouse at Atlantic City. From it you can see God's 
daily miracle of morning, and His equally impressive cause of the 
setting of the sun. N'o visitor to Atlantic City should fail to witness 
the spectacle presented upon any clear day, by the morning sunrise to 
be seen from the lighthouse. Visit it and you will think of Herschell, 
Cardinal Secchi, and all the great astronomers that the world has yet 

produced. And again, 
then, as you look into 
the faces of these "lamps 
of heaven," and remem- 
ber that this earth is a 
planet of but the seventh 
magnitude, dark and 
dirty, dependent for its 
light only upon the sun 
and moon, perhaps you 
may wish yourself an 
inhabitant of heaven, 
where tlie pasture is ever 
green and the lillies per • 
petually bloom. 

The great number 
of wrecks that were 
continually occurring on 
the beach, caused Dr. 
Pitney and other gentle- 
men to turn their atten • 
tion to the absolute necessity that existed, for the erection of a proper 
lighthouse at Atlantic City. Again, the doctor had to fight prejudice, 
and especially the prejudice against improvements, tliat seemed then 
to reign supreme among the grannies of the Navy Department. Away 
hack between the years IS.'ii and 18-iO, the proposal was tirst agitated. 
After a great waste of trouble and money, a Congressional appropria- 
tion of $5,000 was at last voted, upon the proviso that a satisfactory 
report ohould first be made by a competent ofiicial of the Navy Depart- 
ment. Commodore La Yallette was commissioned to make the afore- 
said report. He visited the beach, examined the coast and requested 
a letter from Dr. Pitney on ths subject. In this letter Dr. Pitney ex- 
plained his own original notion of prismatic lights. Notwithstanding 
the exertions of Dr. Pitney, the Commodore made an unfavorable re- 




Intei'ior of P;irUir Car— Express Train to the Sea. 



(52 History of Atlantic City. 

port, and the lighthouse project slept for several years. The doctor was 
not disheartened from his fli'st failure, and the same pluck that char- 
acterized his railroad and land schemes, was again called into play. 
In 1S53. after the railroad had been sui-veyed, he started the lighthouse 
question again, Witli his own hands he circulated petitions for signa- 
tures, and besides Avrote to Congressmen and published articles in the 
newspapers, advocating the project. The result of these labors was 
the granting of an appropriation of $35,000 for a lighthouse, and an 
additional one of §5,000 for a buoy. Thus, Atlantic has to-day. one of 
the best lighthouses in the country — which, with later improvements, 
cost upwards of $50,000 in the a^^gregate. The buoy, howt^ver, has dis- 
appeared. One stormy night Proteus took a fancy to this combination 
of antiquated •'wooden walls," and carried it off to the bottom of the 
sea. The tower of the lighthouse was first illuminated in .January 1857. 
The light is classed as first order ; fixed white light; 107 feet high ; 
outside diameter at base, 20 feet 4 inches ; interior at base, H» feet ; 
outside diameter at top, 13 feet ; interior at top, 10 feet ; color or day 
mark, white, red and white, horizontal stripes; 228 steps, spiral. The 
lantern is iron with 30 French glass plates 38x38 inches, three tiers 
high. Lamp in use is Funck's Hydraulic Float ; oil capacity, 8 gal- 
lons ; oil consumed each night, (summer) 2 gallons ; (winter) iJj gallons. 
The burner has four concentric wicks, largest 3^ inches in diameter, 
smallest one inch. The illuminating apparatus is 10 feet high and (> 
feet in diameter. The central lens is 4 feet high, with 13 prisms 
above and 6 below. The light can be seen from a vessel's deck at a 
distance of twenty miles. 

'•steadfast, serene, immovable the same- 
Year after yeai-, through aU the silent night. '. 
Burns on forevermore that quenchless flame. 
Shines on that inextinguishable light."' 



TlIK TOWKK OF THE LIGHTHOUSE A BlHB TllAF 

The early autunni of 1803, when " Pap Bartlett " was keeper of 
the lighthouse, hundreds of birds of variotis species were stiumed 
and killed by Hying forcibly against the tower after nightfall. It 
was no uncommon occurrence for Mr. Bartlett, early in the morning 
to gather a half bushel basket full of birds at the base of the tower. 
Sometimes wild ducks and occasionally geese and crane were thus 
captured ; frequently they were only stunned and were caught alive. 
Every year more or less birds are taken in this way ; Maj. Wolf, the 
present keeper, has caught several rare specimens in this way, and lias 



HiSTOKY OF Atlantic City, O". 

presented many of his friends with beautiful song birds and birds of 
rare plumage. They are attracted from a great distance by the light. 

" The sea bird wheeling round it, with din 
Of wings and wind and solitary cries, 
Hlinded and maddened liy the light within, 
Dashes himself against the glass and dies." 



Its Cognomen — The "City by the Sea." 

In a communication several years ago, Mr. Cliarles Wilson, prob- 
ably the oldest newspaper reporter in Philadelphia, claimed the honor 
of christening Atlantic the " City by the Sea.'' This claim is disputed, 
as the following letter to the writer, written May 28, 1879, by Morris 
G. CondoQ, one of the original contractors for the Camden and Atlan- 
tic, will show : 

" A. L. English. — Dear Sir : — Upon the completion of the Cam- 
den and Atlantic Kailroad to Absecon Beach, the directors and eight 
hundred Invited guests went down on an excursion train on July 1, 
1854. Richard Jones, caterer, of Dock street, was engaged to prepare 
the excellent dinner, at which we all sat down in a huge, rougfh build- 
ing, now the splendid United States Hotel, then standing in tlie hot, 
white sand, surrounded by an immense grove of small, scraggy trees, 
sand hills and holes, and no road or avenue to be seen except on the 
paper plan of the place. 

"Abraham Browning, Esq., of Camden, was the orator of the 
day, and in his beautiful after-dinner speech he said we were there to 
celebrate the founding of a ' city by the sea. ' Little did Mr. Brown- 
ing or any one of the large company present suppose that his predic- 
tion would so soon be verified ; for, in a very few years the sand 
hills and holes were graded to wide avenues, lined with splendid vil- 
las and hotels, to which thousands of visitors from all parts of the 
country resort at all seasons of the year to restore and invigorate their 
health. Hundreds of the most eminent physicians have pronounced 
Atlantic City the healthiest resort on the Atlantic coast.'' 



FiKST Market House. 

In speaking of the founder of the first market house, Dr. Reed 
says: "Where the colossal wooden eagle expands his golden wings 
above the arched front of Bartlett Hall, that liberal-spirited citizen, — 
who believes this to be the abode .of the gods, and the only spot on the 
terraqueous globe where life is desirable, Wm. G. Bartlett, Esq., — 
had erected the original market-house, since enlarged and improved in 



64 



History of Atlantic City. 



a manner oinaniental to the citj', and creditable to the aesthetic taste 
of the founder. -' Mr. Bartlett used to come over to this island ten or 
fifteen years before the railroad company was organized. There 
were only four houses here then, viz., Jeremiah Leeds' house, on the 
site of the present Atlantic House ; the faro, -house now occupied by 
Richard Huckett ; a house up near where the salt works stood, since 
moved to Pemisylvania avenue, and occupied by Irving Lee ; and one 
other. Mr. Bai'tlett owns several handsome structures here now, the 
bank building among the number. He has always been abreast with 
the times, and contributed generously to the success of the city. 







_/v 







( in L 1)1! ex's SKASIIOKE hotse. 



Eaklv Struggles of the Railroad Company. 



The first few years of the railroad's history exemplifies the fact 
that nothing great is lightly won. It was one continuous struggle with 
ditliculties. The times were unproijitious, and i)ecuniary embarrass- 
ments threatened to overwhelm the enfeebled enterprise. In the words 
of the accomplished president, at that time, Robert Frazer, "they were 
days of darkness and depression. " THe track across the meadows was 
laid on an embankment, and soon after a storm tide washed it away. 
This accident, and the loss in the sale of bonds, cost the company 



History of Atlantic City. 65 

nearly five hundred thousand dollars. The track was afterwards placed 
directly on the meadows. In February, 1855, the amount of capital 
stock paid in was but $240,100, while the floating debt had reached 
$920,558.40. The total cost of the road and equipments, was 
$1,274,030.14. 

Twenty thousand people came over the road the first year. Six 
times as many were taken to Cape May, by boat, the previous year. 
In a communication to the Philadelphia Star, a few years since, Mr. 
Thos. .T. Beckett, of Musical Fund Hall, Philadelphia, and who has 
been an annual visitor since the opening of the road, in writing of its 
early struggles, says : 

"Several years elapsed before the new city began to attract public 
attention. Some who engaged in the enterprise despaired of success, 
and abandoned further attempts to "build up the place. For sixteen 
years the directors of the Camden and Atlantic Railroad Company 
struggled against all the adversities incident to large enterprises, and 
having overcome them all, the light of prosperity began to dawn upon 
them. Up to that time the stockholders received nothing for their in- 
vestments, but now how changed the scene. From the very first to 
the present time I have watched the gradual growth of the city, little 
dreaming that in a quarter of a century, it would have extended to its 
present widespread dimensions." 



The First Excursions. 

For the first two years alter the opening of the road, all excursion 
trains were run to the Surf House, built by the Surf House Company, 
in 1854, and kept by Mr. Hopkins. A spur ran from the main track 
on Atlantic avenue along the north side of this hotel, from which 
excursionists alighted. David H. Mundy, the present efficient General 
Ticket Agent of the Camden and Atlantic Road, was conductor on this 
train, which was drawn by the heaviest engine of the Company, named 
the "Pennsylvania.'" This courteous and faithful official has re- 
mained continuously in the services of the company ever since, celebra- 
ting the anniversary of the thirtietli year of service on the 4th of last 
.July. He is held in high esteem, and is honored by all who know 
him. "The first excursionists, " says Mr. Mundy, "were of a most 
excellent class of people, and were brought here by the company with 
a view to securing a practical intei-est in the place by them." In re- 
ferring to this excursion, Mr. Beckett, who occupies a cottage on Mas- 
sachusetts avenue every summer, %ays : 

" I can well remember when the first excursion train passed over 
the broad, green, salt meadow land eastward from Absecon. A happier 



<j<j History of Atlantic City. 

or more patriotic party never mingled together on any occasion. Tlie 
site of tlie new city was then clothed in the primeval habiliments of 
rude nature. Though not very inviting the general scene was novel 
to the excursionists. They gathered shells of the ocean, and brought 
them home as Xeptune"s souvenirs of the first trip to the sea. At 
that time ranges of hills of sand spreiul out on every side ; tangled 
underbrush and running vines impeded pedestrianists ; holly and cedar 
trees and bayberry bushes in all the rank luxuriousness of primeval 
"wildness made up' the general landscape, and furnished abiding places 
for foxes, rabbits, rats, and, in the line of insect nature, green and 
liluehead tlies, the proverbial mosquito, which at certain times swarmed 
through the island. Here, there, and everywhere, in all parts of the 
strand, were the wrecks of vessels, some of them of very large dimen- 
sions. At the time of the excursion above alluded to, the ocean surf 
expended itself on the beacli as far inland as the line of Pacific aveniie. 
Atlantic avenue was then on paper. It had not been fully opened to 
public use. The rear of the Surf House was only a few yards from 
the high-tide line of the ocean, now it is nearly three-fourths of a 
mile. The change in the whole island, to say nothing of the private 
improvements, has been gradual and wonderful, and those persons 
whose lots reached to the line of the sea were fortunate in having their 
property enlarged by the action of the elements." 

It seems to be but yesterday that where the wild winds and the 
sonorous tones of the ocean's ceaseless roar awakened melancholy 
forebodings, may now be heard the sweet strains of artistic melody. 
AVhere but a few years ago, the lonely and comfortless wanderer 
sought shelter among the rugged, brush-topped sand hills, are- now 
elegant domiciles, handsome gardens, adorned with statuary and other 
embellishments, which wealth, enterprise and taste alone can display, 
all arranged on wide, straight and well graded avenues." 

In 1857, Thomas McNeeles built the " National," where Myers' 
market now stands, and that became the headquarters of the excur- 
sionists, and remained such until the building of the " Sea View," in 
1870. A long platform was built on Atlantic Avenue, in front of the 
" National," for the convenience of the excursionists. This platform 
led to the first difiiculty with the city authorities, as to who had aright 
ful control of the avenue, ultimately resulting in litigation, which 
lasted until 1881, when the differences were amicably adjusted by con- 
cessions by both parties, in an ordinance passed in that year. The 
railroad track then did not go below the Surf House. Further on. in 
the conmiunication dated October 4, 187S, referred to above, Mr. 
Beckett makes a remarkable prophecy and reveals his faith in the future 
l)rospects of the place. He says : 

" There was a time when, for years, I could directly locate all the 
cottages, but of late, so vast and fast have the improvements sprung 



History of Atlantic City. 



6"; 



up, as if by magic, that it would be a hopeless task to locate one-tenth 
of them now. So from this, you and your legion of readers can judge 
of Atlantic City as it was and as it is ; but what it is to be is a ques- 




tion to be solved. Let me suggest, however, that within the next 
quarter of a century it will be the largest city in the State of Xew Jer- 
sey, with ocean ships at its large inlet piers, connecting the commerce 



(58 History of Atlantic City. 



of the place with distant nations of the world. Mark the prophecy. 
In conclusion, allow me to say that for a number of years I have had 
the pleasure of noticing, through the columns of your valuable paper, 
the progressive steps taken in advancing the prosperity of the city by 
the sea, a name given to it by Messrs. Wilson and Barnewell of the 
newspaper fraternity, in the infantile hours of the place. The faces of 
these gentlemen were familiar then, but they have disappeared from 
the scenes of their early days. Their predictions have been fully veri- 
fied, as I think mine will be before the semi-centennial anniversary of 
the founding of the place. This will probably be my last annual epis- 
tle about the city located on this beautiful isle of the sea. I have seen 
it creeping like a little child, just learning to walk and tottering in its 
infancy, but I have beheld it in the glory and vigor of its manhood, and 
therefore let me depart in peace." 

All of our first residents and earlier visitors remember Mr. Beckett 
as a gentleman of the old school, and love him for the many admirable 
traits in his character. 



The First Hor. 

The initiative "hop,"' the arrangements for which were made by 
the guests themselves, who danced with the greater zest because of the 
preliminary excitement, was given in the dining room of Cottage Ee- 
treat. Three violinists were brought together to furnish the inspira- 
tion of the hour. The walls were adorned with festoons of cedar and 
holly, and the room illuminated with spermaceti candles. The next 
day revealed a plentiful sprinkling of grease upon the soles of the 
dancers— a sure testimony of the all-absorbing merriment and aban- 
donment of the occasion. The United States Hotel also gave its first 
hop a few evenings subsequently, with the "United States Cornet 
Band" down from Philadelphia, to add eclat to the event. All re- 
serve and hesitation were banished, and Dr. Reed says, every fantastic 
toe was electrified when the band, after a prelude of musical thunders, 
made the air vibrate with the ecstatic notes of " Pop goes the Weasel." 

Hops were of almost daily occurrence at the Surf House. Each 
excursion brought its own music. Order was always preserved, and 
many of the sunmier guests used to go down and participate with the 
excursionists in the pleasure. People from the mainland fre(iuently 
came over " to see the fun." 



The It e Tide of 1857. 

The winter of this year was terribly severe. December began 
snowy and intensely cold. Freezing winds from the west prevailed. 



History of Atlantic City. 69 

and the deepest snow in the history of the city is recorded in that year. 
The bays and thoroughfares were frozen to a depth of from three to six 
feet. All shipping was suspended. In January the wind shifted, and 
a violent "north-easter " set in. It prevailed for several days, sending 
the sea in the inlet with terrific force. This rushing tide lifted the 
ice and swept out on the meadows vessels of heavy tonnage. The pil- 
ing under the railroad bridge were lifted, and the consequent damage 
was so great as to prevent the passage of trains for weeks. The suffer- 
ing of the poor became intense. Captain Edward Wilson, now resid- 
ing here, says he walked across the meadows from Absecon about this 
time, and that drift ice was piled on the railroad track, five feet high. 
Jobby Conover and other oyster planters were financially ruined by the 
drifting away of vast oyster beds in the ice. Doughty 's schooner. 
laden with wood, was taken to sea and lost, and numerous small craft 
completely demolished. There were icebergs on the beach twenty 
feet high. 



The Fly and Mosquito Plague of 1858. 

There is no rose without its thorn. Atlantic — the health-giving, 
the life-cheering Atlantic, in 1858 discovered a skeleton in its closet, — 
a skeleton whose dry bones rattled and sent a shudder through the 
nerves, — through the very marrow of the most robust visitors. How 
much more must it have affected those who were already unstrung by 
real illness, or still worse, by fancied invalidism I The deep sleep which 
its pure air so fostered was cruelly broken. The tranquil reverie to 
which its soothing breezes invited the happy soul was crushed as with 
the angry voice of demons. The idle saunter beside the tumbling surf, 
the complete absence of business thought to which the active mind 
was wooed by its ceaselesss swirl and rythm, was changed to torture 
as with the sudden buzzing of the plague of Egypt. In the still, sweet 
hour of the night, and in the broad light of serene day, it came 
and sent anger and turmoil to the soul. The enterprising landlords, 
the railroad company, and the municipality itself, did their bravest 
and best to make their city a haven of health and rest. But the 
plagues of the ancients seemed to have settled upon the new siesta. 
Greenlaead flies, gnats and mosquitoes became an instrument of tor- 
ture and a plague, that sent the visitors homeward flying like foxes 
pursued by the hound. They came in clouds, and turned remorse- 
lessly against every living thing, by day and by night, in season and out 
of season, without rhyme or reason. Horses were covered with blood, 
and cattle waded in the ocean up totheir bellies, to escape, in a measure, 
the torture. Horses of the finer blood would lie down in the harness, 
and children would scratch and squall from the poisonous sting on 



70 



History of Atlantic City, 



blotched limbs and faces. Excursionists begged the conductors to 
start homeward ahead of the scheduled time. An old resident tells us 
that strangers converted their handkerchiefs into masks for their faces, 
while men who never smoked before resorted to the weed to keep away 
the pests. A smoky fire was built before every house. Before going 
to bed the windows and doors would all be opened, aboard put on top 
of the chimney, and a dense smoke sent through every chamber to 
"drive out the pesky varmints." After the house had been pretty 
thoroughly smoked, the board would be removed and the people re- 




THK MANSION— Chas. McGlade, Prop'r. 



enter. A communication to tiie Philadelphia North American, in 
August of that year, says : 

Surf House, Aug. 11, 1858. 
Editor ISTortii American : In my last letter I said mosquitoes 
were numerous here. They have since become a plague and there is 
no peace intiie ])lace. Myriads of greenhead Hies and clouds of gnats 
have Ijeen added to the mosquito pests since the rain of Friday and 
the prevailing hot west winds a day or so thereafter. Last week the 
place was crowded with visitors — now they are escaping the scourge 
as rapidly as possible. This house is now surrounded with bonfires, 
in the hojte tliat the smoke therefrom will drive off the enemy. But 



History of Atlantic City. 71 

even tlie smoke is a nuisance, for it is blinding and dirty. The horses 
attached to a carriage containing guests from the United States Hotel 
became so maddened from the attack of greenhead Hies that they ran 
away near the inlet, demolished the carriage and broke the arm of one 
of the ladies. Last night two men boarding here were driven from 
their bed by the mosquitoes. On the principle that misery loves com- 
pany they got tlie dinner gong and went banging it up and down the 
hall-ways, exclaiming that all of the male occupants were wanted in 
the ocean parlor at one o'clock sharp that morning. Every man re- 
sponded to the call, for he did not know what was up. The women 
became alarmed and quickly dressed. They were invited to join the 
men at the parlor meeting. Every guest in the house was at that 
assemblage, anxious to know the object of the call. When all was 
still one of the gong chaps arose solemnly and with a fan in hand 
beating at the mosquitoes, said the meeting had been called for the 
purpose of taking action on a set of resolutions which his companion 
would read. The companion then arose and read a long preamble and 
set of resolutions bitterly attacking the flies and mosquitoes and wind- 
ing up with a resolution that every guest in the house would take 
their departure unless the landlord put up mosquito netting to*the 
doors and windows of the house. Everybody voted for the resolution, 
some one proposed three cheers for its author, which w^ere given, when 
the men adjourned to the bar and the ladies to the ocean piazza. There 
was precious little sleep in the house that night. It is hardly necessary 
to add that the house next day was provided wuth an abundance of 
mosquito netting. J. S. 

At a meeting of council held in August of the year above mentioned, 
it was deemed absolutely necessary for the future prosperity of the 
place that the mosquito and fly breeding holes and slashes be filled 
and graded. The island was full of such nuisances. One could scarcely 
go a block in any direction without running into one. Those in the 
immediate vicinity of the boarding houses were ordered filled, but 
little attention was paid to the command. It was not until the 
year 1860, that effective action was taken in the matter, and even 
then to no considerable worth. But the importance of ridding the city 
of these pests became yearly more apparent, and as the legislation be- 
came more stringent just in proportion were the low places filled. Dr. 
Lippincott, introduced the idea of pouring coal oil on the water of the 
ponds as a mosquito breeding preventative, which was used effectively 
by some for a few years, especially those living adjacent to stagnant 
water. Upon the organization of the board of health all the places of 
this description were declared nuisances, and the ow^ners compelled to 
abate them. To-day there can scarcely be found a mosquito breeding 
spot in the city, and as a result there is not in America a watering- 



72 • History of Atlantic City. 

place so free from mosquitoes. Greenheads have disappeared with 
tlie advance of civilization until they are as few liere as at any other 
place. 

The Difficulty of Obtainixg Good Water. 

For many years the city experienced great difficulty in obtaining 
good watei'. With the exception of the high ridge of timbered sand 
hills running from the inlet tlirough the centre of the island, down to 
Hill's Creek, it was almost impossible to sink a well that would yield 
water that was fit for drinking purposes, and it was only in certain 
places on the ridge that the water was good. Chalkley Leeds had a 
good well near his cottage on Massachusetts avenue ; George Hayday, 
who then kept the Exchange, on the site of the Camden and Atlantic 
depot, had a well of pure water, as did also Ryan Adams, at the cor- 
ner of Arctic and Maryland avenues ; Dad Gray, across from his house, 
corner of Pennsylvania and Arctic ; Downing, of the Woodlin House, 
at the Y of the Camden and Atlantic Railroad, and John and Steelman 
Leeds, also had good wells. These people all lived on the line of this 
ridge, and had the only pure drinking water in the place. These facts 
we gather from an old reisdent carter, who used to gather water from 
these wells and sell it to the cottagers and hotel keepers at from twen- 
ty-five to fifty cents per barrel. Wells sunk in other parts of the 
island in some instances would yield clear and pure water at first, but 
in the course of a few weeks it would be liable to emit an unpleasant 
odor or become discolored. The plan of the people who live on the 
lowlands of the south was adopted from necessity, and many of our 
citizens built cemented cisterns, into which they gathered rain water 
from the roofs of houses. During excessively dry seasons these were 
exhausted, and the wells above referred to yielding insufficient water 
to supply the increased demand, the Camden and Atlantic Railroad 
Company brought over in tanks pure spring water from the mainland. 
This mode of supplying the city with di'inking water was kept up for 
a considerable time, and as late as 1880, Mahlon Kirkbride, then of 
the City Hotel, did a profitable business in bringing water from the 
mainland and selling it among the cottages and hotels. The difficulty 
in i^rocuring good water was for a number of years a great annoyance 
to Atlantic City, but the obstacle was overcome by the introduction 
of pure spring water from the mainland by the Atlantic City Water 
Company in 1882. 

In 185G, Mr. Manassa McClees thought to solve the water prob- 
lem by boring an Artesian well. He began by sinking a nine inch 
iron pipe, and after penetrating through various strata and a weak 
brine, to the depth of ninety feet, came to fresh water ; then the en- 
gineer in charge giving it as his ()])inioii that the supply was inadequate. 



J 



History of Atlantic City. 



73 







3IK. RICHAKI) WRIGHl'S ( OTT \GE, 
BUILT IN 1859. 



the process of boring was resumed, and to the astonishment of every 
one, a few inches deeper, salt water was again reached, and continued 
briny as far down as the conduit was carried, which was over 180 feet. 
Mr. McClees placed a thousand dollars in this "sinking '' fund, and 
pronouncing it a failure, pocketed the loss. Unfortunately the mem- 
oranda that were made of the different strata and matters of interest 
connected with the undertaking have been lost. 



First Kesident Physician. 

Dr. Lewis Reed, the city's first resident physician, is still living 
here, and is universally beloved. He is in his 84th year, but is hale 
and hearty, and as chipper as a cricket. An account of his coming 
here is thus given by his son, who succeeded to his profession, and who 
has proven himself a worthy son of a worthy sire : " The dusky Indian, 
stretching forth his hand for support, finds disappointment in the 
yielding brush, and the invaluable mines of Potosi are made known ; 
thus do accidents shape the conduct of men and control the course of 
human events. Dr. Lewis Reed leaves his home in Millville, in 1857, 
to go to Weymouth, in this county, loses his way, and brings up at 
Egg Harbor Station, just before the arrival of the down train for At- 
lantic City, and desires to give his tired horse respite, and pay the 

E 



74 History of Atlantic City. 

sea-shore a flying visit. He arrives one day after the sad occasion in 
the Methodist church, when the need of a resident physician was 
present to all minds, and as he steps from the cars, is confronted by an 
old acquaintance, who greets him with the exclamation, "You are 
the very man we want here ! " He was introduced to Lemuel Eldridge, 
Esq., who was residing in his attractive cottage, (now owned by Capt. 
Jas. D. Pratt) and whose chief employment was in those days "to 
betray tawny finned fishes " for amusement, below the pier on the 
Inlet, especially flounders, and to this day he is unable to look one in 
the eye without a gentle grimace delectable to behold ; and his per- 
suasive powers were brought into successful requisition. The climax 
was reached when he talked about fish— weak-fish, black-fish, snap- 
ping mackerel, flounders and sheephead ! The venerable Ezekiel 
Cooper was wont to say on a Sunday evening, "Let us have prayers, 
and to-morrow morning, God willing, we will go fishing," and as he 
inveigled cat-fish from the rotting hold of a wrecked sloop on the oozy 
banks of the Maurice river, would sing in beautiful mood, 

"Come on, my partners in distress, 
My comrades through the wilderness, 

Who stiU your bodies feed, 
Awhile forego your griefs and fears, 
And looli beyond this vale of tears. 
To that celestial hill." 

The doctor can sing amen to the sentiment, and match the spirit 
of the worthy dominie — there being but one other man in Nuova 
Csesarea ( Vulgar New Jersey), who will patiently long for a bite — our 
sometime townsman and former master of Pink Cottage, John H. 
Jones, Esq., of Camden, — and convinced of the rare excellence of the 
fishing, his mind was captivated, and to the amazement of the aban- 
doned friends in Millville, two weeks thereafter became a resident 
of Atlantic City. In the fall of 1858 he was elected mayor, and served 
the city for five terms.*' 



The Cattle Playinu a Pakt In History. 

The animal kingdom has played a part in the history of Atlantic 
City that is worthy of mention. Prior to IBiU, the cattle, swine, and 
goats were permitted to run at large in the city. Up to that time 
every permanent resident of the place owned one or more cows. They 
were then profitable, from the fact that they subsisted almost wholly 
from the grass that grew so luxuriantly upon the meadows, and milk 
sold readily at ten cents per quart. The revenue derived from the 
sale of milk went far towards supporting many of the residents, and 
of course this had a tendency to increase rather than diminish the 



History of Atlantic City. 75 

number of cattle in the city. Old-time visitors will remember seeing 
hundreds of cattle standing knee-deep in the surf during the hot days 
of the summer, having sought this as a refuge from the green-head 
flies that infested the swamps at that time. Every family also had a 
herd of swine, and these were also a source of considerable revenue. 
The hogs were fattened principally from the slop coming from the 
hotels and boarding houses, and by autumn were ready for the slaugh- 
ter-pen, without expense to their owners. Goats — ever the pioneers 
of new settlements — were numerous here, and the place was ably rep- 
resented by the canine species. 

Many efforts were made to prevent cattle from running at large, 
and there was a long and stubborn fight before it was accomplished. 
The non-resident property owners were unanimously in favor of driv- 
ing the cattle and hogs from the city, but the resident population 
fought them step by step. Ordinances were frequently introduced 
into council, declaring that the cow, the hog, and the goat must go, 
but the residents had the votes, and the councilmen, with that saga- 
city characteristic of an office-holder, for many years bowed to their 
will. For several years the cattle question was made an issue in all 
municipal contests, and no man could hope for election who did not 
array himself on the side of the residents. All other issues were sub- 
ordinated to this one. The intense interest shown in it recalls the 
story about the Western legislator, who was in the lobby when the 
roll was being called. Rushing to his seat he demanded tbat his vote be 
recorded, and at the same time asked what the question was. The 
speaker informed him that it was on the question of submitting a 
constitutional amendment to a vote of the people, whereupon the leg- 
islator, with disgust pictured upon his countenance, remarked in lan- 
guage more expressive than polite, "Oh, I thought it was the hog 
law," and declined to vote. But, notwithstanding the bitter contest 
the cattle and hogs finally became such a nuisance that the old resi- 
dents began to weaken. Some of them took sides with the non-resi- 
dents, and in 18(54, the ordinance prohibiting cattle from running at 
large was finally passed. 

The goats were as mischievous as numerous. They had gnawed 
the bark from nearly every shade tree in town, and destroyed the 
shrubbery in many yards, and in several instances they entered unoc- 
cupied houses and stripped the paper from the walls. It was an easy 
matter to draw the line on the cow and hog, but the goats proved 
nuisances difficult to be abated. Everybody disowned them. Some 
of the poor people killed them for food, but even this did not seem to 
diminish their number nor stop their depredations. In this hour of 
persecution the goats found a friend in the small boy. He, as far as 
possible, shielded him from the minions of the law. One old goat, 
called "Ned White's Billy," used to follow the boys to school and 



76 



History of Atlantic Citv. 



patiently wait for their appearance at recess or dismissal. However, 
Richard White, whose cottage now stands on the corner of Pacific and 
Virginia avenues, made a raid on the goats that proved successful. 
He organized a company of boys and paid them to gather up all the 
goats in to\^^l. succeeding in which he shipped them to Swamp Siding, 
now Pamona, and through an arrangement with Wm. Souder, bag- 
gage master, had them turned loose in the swamp. And thus ended 
the war upon cattle, as well as the war between the resident and 
non-resident property owners. 




WILD DUCK IN THE BAY SEDGE. 



Clam Creek Fishing Company. 

To "goafishin'," is regarded the most perfect rest and best means 
of recuperation for an overwrought brain, and prostrated nervous sys- 
tem. Actuated by this belief, some Philadelphia gentlemen organized 
a fishing company, and founded a fish house, upon the banks of Clam 
Creek. The following leaf from their log book, describes in terse lan- 
guage, the event : 

October lioth, 1858. — Foundation logs towed to Clam Creek by 
Messrs. Hicks and Tally, builders. Heavy storm and very high tides. 
Commenced building the following week. First rafter raised Novem- 



History of Atlantic City. 



ber 16th, at. twenty minutes past ten o'clock ; three cheers and one 
round ; one half raised quarter past eleven o'clock, and one round. 
Finished raising ten minutes past twelve o'clock ; six cheers and two 
bully drinks. House finished Friday, December 24th, 1858 ; opened 
May 5th, 1859, and all present : John Clark,' President ; W. W. Cress, 
Secretary; L. Chester, Treasurer; W. T. Blaekman, E. H. Durell, 
Fort Ihrie, and Casper Heft, members." Later, Jas. D. Pratt, be- 
came President; Fred. Corinth, Secretary ; John Harris, Treasurer. 
Life at this house was healthful, rustic and gay. The maxim of the 
members was " he lives longest who lives most," a motto that rivals 
the one of Diephic renow^n. The log book shows that if the fishing 
was bad the drinking was good. An occasional entry of "all wounded," 
mystifies the uninitiated. Failure and success were celebrated by a 
"right gude willy-naught I" The appended extract gives a clear idea 
of how the time passed : " Weather clear and cool, with high winds 
blowing sou '-sou 'west." Baited our hooks and went for the finny 
denizens of Clam Creek. Finny denizens not hungrj' — did'nt bite — 
two hours spent in coaxing, when I was rewarded by capturing a fine 
eel. The rest of us not being rewarded, adjourned to the house, and 
indulged in a glass of water. Partook of bounteous supper, served up 
by that prince of caterers, Lum Smith. After supper, enjoyed our- 
selves by relating anecdotes, cracking jokes and drinking water. Time, 
two P.M.; retired and had a good night's rest. 



Some of the High Tides of the Past. 

The high tides of last September and January seem to have crea- 
ted the impression that the tides here are becoming more dangerous, 
but such is not the case. They are less frequent now, and are not so 
violent as formerly. During the earlier history of the place, high tides 
seem to have prevailed to a much greater extent than at this time. Un- 
til recent years it was no unusual occurrence for portions of the 
island to be submerged during spring tides. The spring and winter 
tides always came in from the meadow sides, and were known to fre- 
quently run as far down as Atlantic avenue During one of these 
tides, in the spring of 1864, Elva Roman's family, residing in a house 
on the inlet, now known as " Sportsmen Home,'' had to be rescued in 
boats from the second story windows. The first floor was covered 
with water for several feet. All other houses in that locality were in- 
undated, and were temporarily deserted by the occupants. The water 
rushed in torrents down Massachusetts avenue to Atlantic, and did 
some damage to property. Many ; esidents on the meadow sides lost 
pigs and chickens, and some of them were greatly alarmed for their 
safety. " Old Sammy Corson," as he was familiarly known, who lived 



78 History of Atlantic City. 

iu a hut on the margin of a pond, about where A. M. Bailey's cottage 
now stands, on Pennsylvania avenue, was found standing up on his 
"bunk '" up to his knees in water, and was removed in a boat. The 
water rushed down and surrounded the school house on Pennsylvania 
avenue, and when school was dismissed, the children had to be removed 
in wagons or carried to Atlantic avenue by men in gum boots. Tides 
less threatening than these to-day would be looked upon as extremely 
dangerous were they of frequent occurrence. During such tides the 
meadows were so washed that the trains could not run, and for a day 
or two the mail had to be brought over in a hand-car from the main- 
land by Lewis Evans, of the Camden and Atlantic Railroad, 



Recollections by Thomas McAdams. 

"I came here before the railroad was built,'' said Mr. Thomas Mc- 
Adams, "and helped spike the rails on Atlantic Avenue to the inlet. 
There was not an avenue graded, and on either side of the track were 
sand hills, swamps, and briar brambles. There wasn't a peck of 
gravel in the place. I boarded with a gang of railroad men at Mc- 
Donald's, on South Carolina Avenue, where the Tammany House now is. 
The first locomotive ever on the island was the 'Roanoke,' brought 
over from Absecon in a scow. Tiie track had only been laid so far as 
Absecon, and before beginning work on the meadows rails, ties and 
the Roanoke were sent over here by water. For years there was 
trouble with the meadow track. The rails were too low, and every 
big storm tide would wash them out of place. We were frequently 
cut off from railway communication with the mainland for several 
days. Only until recent years did the company ac«iuire sufficient 
means to build the road so it would withstand the storm-tides. I re- 
member very well an indignation meeting by a gang of railroad work- 
men under one of the sub-contractors who ran away without paying 
the men. He got into Ryan Adams, Wm. Carter and others for a con- 
siderable amoimt of money. He probably would have been pitched 
into the thoroughfare if the men could have gotten their hands on him. 
Soon after I was employed by Mr. Daniel Morris, who surveyed and 
laid out the first streets. I shall never forget the ice-tide of '57. That 
was a terrible experience for the seaside pioneers. The drawbridge 
was lifted out of place, vessels were sent high upon the meadows. 
Doughty's schooner, laden with wood, parted her moorings and went 
out of the inlet with the ice. She was picked up at sea, stripped of 
rigging and burned. Mr. Doughty recovered the sails in Kew York. I 
rcilled a barrel of (lour across the meadows from Absecon to this place. 
I relate these incidents to show the trials we had to contend with at 



History of Atlantic City, 



79 




80 History of ATLA^•TIC C^ity. 

that early ti me. We liad several severe storms later. John Culligan per- 
ished ill attempting to cross the meadows about the year 18G3. It 
was impossible for the train to get over and the Atlantic passengers, 
which were few in that day, had to stay at Absecon. Culligan and Joe 
Barstow were on the train. Culligan wanted Barstow to walk over 
the meadows with him. It was dark, cold and stormy, and Joe wisely 
concluded not to make the venture. Culligan started out alone. Bar- 
stow waited until morning and set out for home. It was a hard road 
to travel, but .Joe's Yankee pluck was equal to the task, and just be- 
fore his journey was ended he discovered poor John dead in the ice, a 
short distance beyond the thoroughfare drawbridge. Geo. Hayday, 
Geo. Keats, Thos. Brady and myself went over and brought his body 
home." 



First City Suevey'Or. 

At a meeting of council, on May 28, 1855, Mr. Daniel Morris was 
appointed city surveyor, on motion of councilman Hackett. Mr. 
Morris did all of the surveying of the city for a number of years. 
He is still an honored citizen. Messrs. E. S. Reed, T. C. Garrett, F. 
F. Wurtz, Kitchens and Park succeeded him. 



KE( OLLECTIONS BY Mr. BeDLOE. 

Mr. Tliomas Bedloe recalls the following interesting incidents of 
the early days of Atlantic City. " At the time of which I speak, the^ 
year 1850,'' he said, "tlie Camden and Atlantic Railroad Depot stood 
in front of Schautler's Hotel, at the corner of Atlantic and North 
Carolina avenues. Rat. Cruse, was then the Company's watchman at 
the depot. On Easter Sunday of that year, a serious riot occurred 
there that will be memorable to all who were in Atlantic C-ity at that 
time. Carpenters were working on the Ashland and other houses, 
and they, having indulged too freely in egg nog and other exhilerating 
fluids, determined to vent their rowdy spirits by destroying the depot 
property. Accordingly, they went to the place and began smashing 
the windows. Cruse remonstrated with them and he was savagely 
attacked by the crowd. Old man Stewart, who tlien lived on the pres- 
ent site of the Camden and Atlantic dei)ot, went to Cruse's assistance, 
giving him a shovel with which he might defend himself. Cruse 
l)itched into the gang of desperate men and gave one of them a blow 
with the shovel, that it was supposed had killed him. Old man Mc- 
Donald then appeared on the scene with a fence rail, and he wielded it 



History of Atlantic City, 81 



so valiantly, knocking the carpenters down right and left, that the 
rioters were for the moment repulsed. The row now became more 
serious and turbulent th3,n ever, pistols and knives being drawn by the 
roughs. By this time, however, there were a dozen sturdy men on 
Cruse's side, and amidst the firing several persons were wounded. 
The carpenters retreated to the residence of A. C. English, now occu- 
pied by Jolm Hammon, on South Carolina avenue. Some of them 
crawled under the building and others entered the house itself and 
locked the doors after them. Cruse and his followers crept under the 
building after those who had concealed themselves there, and a vig- 
orous fight occurred on hands and knees. Alex. Higgins had narrowly 
escaped a pistol shot a few moments before the retreat; a rioter pre- 
sented a pistol close to his head, but Alexander dexterously interposed 
his trusty shovel and the fatal ball was averted. The fight ended vic- 
toriously for the Atlantic City men and the rioters were dispersed." 

''I also remember another incident," continued Mr. Bedloe, 
" which was the subject of much interest about that time. Pat Hig- 
gins, a carter and grader, who worked for Daniel Morris, then the 
city surveyor, and now a well-known resident, was missed from his 
home. Pat was a jovial soul, fond of the creature comforts, in which 
he frequently indulged to excess. For days searching bodies sought 
diligently for him, but no information could be gained concerning his 
whereabouts. Finally, at the end of two weeks, somebody saw a 
corpse on the margin of a pond formed where Rudman's cottage now 
stands, on ^"irginia avenue. It was all that was left of Pat, and close 
to his side was a whiskey demijohn. There was no need of a coroner's 
jury to sit on his case." 

"And would you believe it," Mr. Bedloe said, "that right where 
the inlet channel now flows, was the place where the ' boys ' used to 
hold high old carnival. There was a saloon located there in the mid- 
dle of a dense growth of underbrush, and the spot was called Jordan- 
ville. The ' boys ' who didn't go to Sunday School used to make Jor- 
danville their headquarters. The old saloon building is now a part of 
Schaurter's present hotel, it having been removed from the inlet." 



Mk. Schaufler's Early Experience. 

Few men now living in Atlantic City are more conversant with 
its early history than Alois Schaufler, who rose into affluence and citi- 
zenship by years of struggles and honest effort, dating back to the very 
origin of the resort itself. "I came to this place in June, 1855," said 
Mr. Schaufler, " and worked for Casper Crouse, who kept a little place 
called Jordanville, located right in the channel of the present inlet, be- 
tween Atlantic and Arctic avenue-;. I was a general utility man for 




Crouse. and remained 
with liim until the Fall, 
when I returned to 
Philadelphia and was 
eiujtloyed at blacking 
stove s in a store at Second 
and Race Streets. In 
is.'jO, I came back to At- 
lantic, and became ac- 
quainted with Charles 
Burkhardt, who built for 
me a shanty near the 
Light House. The fol- 
lowing winter I became 
watchman for Nicholas 
Worth, who sold the 
lirst beer drawn in At- 
lantic City. His house 
was where Thomas A. 
French -s Clifton House 
now stands, at the 
corner of Atlantic and 
Connecticut avenues. 
I remember receiving 
visits at my shanty 
from William Grosholtz, 
Richard Wright, and 
other Philadelphians, 
who suggested tliat I 
should keep beer. C^- 
per Crouse sold me a 
keg. Sheriff Magee and 
six or seven other 
Piiiladelphians, who 
were here, hearing of 
my purchase, came 
to my place, and 
Magee said to me, in 
Pennsylvania Dutch, 
"Dutchey, have you 
got some lager beer?" 
I replied in German 
that I had, but that 
uiy place was without 
glasses. The sheriff 
said that the beer nuist 
be communicated to 
their stomachs iu some 



History of Atlantic City. 83 

way, and I went into the kitchen and got a small pitcher, with a 
broken handle. Then I discovered that I had no spigot. I ran to 
Thomas Bedloe's holel, corner of Atlantic and Massachusetts Ave- 
nues, and borrowed a tin molasses spigot, but when I inspected the 
bung-hole, I saw that it was very large and the spigot very small. An 
idea suggested itself to me, and retiring into my back room, I tore off a 
part of'my jacket, wrapped it about the spigot, knocked in the bung 
and inserted the spigot. Then the beer flowed, and all hands drank 
eagerly from my broken pitcher, the sheriff paying me twenty-five 
cents for each pitcherfnl. That was really my first business encour- 
agement. ' ' 

" The following year I built a small place about sixteen by 
eighteen feet in dimensions, on the site of the present Schantler's 
Hotel. I remember there was a big, deep pond formed in front of the 
hotel, across which pond there was a plank walk leading to my house, 
and over it the passengers used to come to get their beer before depart- 
ing. The next year, Casper Crouse, becoming alarmed at the en- 
croachment of the sea, was eager to sell out. I bought his house, put 
strong supports imder it, and felt sure of a good bargain. The morn- 
ing after, I went to look at mv purchase, and discovered that the 
underpinning had been washed away and my house was deep in sand 
and water. I got George Keates and others to move it down to my 
lot, where " 8chautler's " now stands. That part of the hotel in which 
the office is now situated, was once the saloon at Jordanville. Then 
my prosperity began. But I had seen very dismal times up in the old 
Burkhaidt House. My son, Ollie, was born there, and I shall never 
forget one prominent citizen, who then owned five or six houses, and 
could have easily granted me shelter for my sick wife, who, when I 
applied to him for a suitable place to take her during her term of 
confinement, replied, "I show no favors to foreigners." The child 
was born, but my wife died from the cold she contracted during her 
sickness. Old Grandmother Leeds and Lemuel Eldridge, hearing of 
my troubles, each gave me a |5 gold-piece. Dr. Lewis Reed gave me 
medicine on trust, and the wife of the present Tax Collector, Thomas 
C. Garrett, attended my poor wife assiduously. The nearest building 
to my own was a shanty where the gamblers used to make a rendez- 
vous. It stood where Heckler's Hotel now stands, at the corner of 
Atlantic and North Carolina avenues. It was quite a notorious resort 
until Mayor Lewis Reed broke it up, and the building was purchased 
by Wm. G. Bartlett, and removed to the site of the present National 
Bank, and rented to big Billy Adams for a grocery store." 

The weather of the winter of 1857 was intensely cold, and was 
noted for its snow-storms and high tides. The drawbridge was partly 
swept away, and for a considerable time the passengers were ferried 
across the thoroughfare. I saw ice piled cake upon cake on the beach, 



84 History of Atlantic City. 



ten feet high. AVhen it melted, ponds were formed tliere which blue- 
bill ducks iised to frequent. I shot a pood many of these that winter. 
Food was scarce among the poorer people, many of whom suffered 
greatly for the want of the simplest necessities of life. I can recall a 
walk I took to Absecon to get half a bushel of potatoes. I trudged 
back through the snow-drifts on the meadows, crossed the thorough- 
fare with the potatoes on my back, only to find when I arrived that 
they had been frozen hard and were almost worthless. Christian 
Born, Godfrey Frank and his brother, and myself, were probably the 
only Germans on the island at that time. There was a strong preju- 
dice manifested against foreigners, and we were obliged to depend on 
our own resources." 



First Life-Savixg Station. 

The first life-saving station established on this beach was opened 
about thirty-five years ago, and was known as the "Government boat- 
house." It stood near Connecticut avenue, about where the Ocean 
House now stands. Barton Gaskill was first keeper. When Bu- 
chanan was elected, Samuel Adams succeeded Gaskill, holding the 
position for five years, when Gaskill was re-appointed by Lincoln, and 
retained the position continuously, for sixteen years. When the im- 
proved system was adopted by the Government, the station was moved 
to its present site in the light-house yard. Captain Amasa Bowen 
has been the efficient keeper for the past five years. 



A Chat With the First Ice Man. 

"I had the first ice wagon and the first milk cart in Atlantic 
City," said Mr. Augustus Turner, "and whenever I see one of the 
present handsome Avagons of my friend Wm. G. Bartlett, or of the 
Knickerbocker Company pass by, my mind reverts to my early expe- 
rience in the ice business. I had an old canvas-covered wagon, out of 
which the city's entire ice supply was sold. That was when you wore 
a pinafore and long before anybody thought you would write a history. 
Weigh A: Co., of Pliiladelphia, liad built an ice-hou.se away up-town. 
The site of this old ice-house is somewhere in the inlet channel of 
to-day. There was a grove of trees and considerable distance between 
the ice-house and the inlet then, but 'Old Xep. ■ has ' knocked out ' the 
grove and sent the sand liills of that (juarter down in front of the city. 
John McClees, Lemuel Eldridge and others owned the land that 



History of Atlantic City. 



85 



washed away. What they lost by the encroachment of the sea, 
Charley Evans, Mr. Lippincott, Kemi & Sons and others gained. It's 
an ill wind that blows nobody good, you know. The old .John Hor- 
ner houee, built by the Salt-works Company, stood near the ice- 
house. John Horner, by-the-way, was one of the early characters of 
the place, and so was his horse. His ' old boss ' and Lardner Somers' 
'old Luce,' each held conspicuous places in the early history of At- 
lantic City, and they are more worthy of being immortalized in history 
than some of the men I dare say you will mention. ' Dad Horner ' 
has gone to his final home, but he is still represented here in his 

SOLS, Harry and Char- 
les, both industrious 
citizens. Lardner Som- 
ers is still kicking, and 
apparently is 'just as 
young as he used to be. ' 
He has lived up in the 
'old field,' or hard by, 
for the past thirty 
years. While he has 
driven more pretentious 
nags than old ' Luce, ' 
I'll warrant that he 
never had a more faith- 
ful one. When I drove 
an ice wagon in 1856, I 
always had a sharp axe 
on hand to cut away 
the limbs. I have had 
to cut many a limb 
that stood in my way 
on Pennsylvania and 
other avenues. There 
was no gas, telephones, 
electric lights, flagstone pavements, etc. , in those days. Oh, no ; we 
had to trudge through sand and fight green-head flies, but the peo- 
ple who lived here made just as much money then as now, because 
there weren't so many of them after the pennies. With a capital 
of $1,000 one could become a land speculator, and clear a good round 
sum without waiting very long. But to-day, nothing short of $:?0,- 
000 will answer the purpose of a land speculator, and he must be 
a precious small speculator at that, and I don't believe he could 
realize as big a profit on a $20,000 investment as the old-time 
speculator could on a $1,000 investment." 




CHAS. MAXWELL, PRESENT MAYOR. 



86 History of Atlantic City. 



A Promixent Citizen's First Trip. 

Mr. Joseph A. Barstow, who is now one of Atlantic City's influential 
and prominent citizens, illustrates the isolated and desolate character of 
the place before the railroad was extended this far. He says : "I had 
heard of Atlantic City, and one day I thought I would make a trip 
down from Pliiladelphia out of curiosity. At Camden I was told that 
the Camden and Atlantic Railroad had then been completed only as 
far as Spring Garden. I traveled that far on a freight train, and at 
Spring Garden I took a stage. We stopped at Baker's Hotel, in May's 
Landing, and got to Absecon the following evening about seven 
o'clock, going to Burr's Hotel. Then there was a small steamboat 
running between Absecon and Atlantic City, but when we arrived 
at eve, the captain Said it was too late for him to make the trip. But 
there were several of us bound for Atlantic, so we finally persuaded 
him to take us. We landed where the Clam Creek boat houses are. 
The tide was unusually high, and an embankment running across the 
meadows to the Atlantic House formed a sort of foot-path to that 
hotel. I remember tliat the night was very dark (we landed about 
eleven o'clock), and the bank being narrow the walk was fraught with 
many slips and slides down into the water. AVhen we got to the At- 
lantic House, which was then kept by Thomas MciSTeelis, I was given 
a room Avith a stranger, who proved to be Thomas Williams, and who, 
I clearly remember, spent a part of the night in quizzing me to learn 
who I was and what I came for. I walked through the place the next 
day and saw but six or eight houses. The " city " was then a vast 
waste of sand hills, ponds, cedars and brambles. I remained there a 
week and then went back to Philadelphia. . When the United States 
Hotel was building I came back, and have remained here ever since. 
But if anyone had told me during my first visit that Atlantic City 
would some day become my home, I would have laughed heartily at 
the absurdity of such a prediction. ' ' 



The First Native Born. 

In a paper read before the Literary Association, Dec. 25, 1875, 
Mr. Robert B. Leeds said : 

" I was born here, Mr. President, and well recollect when the fourth 
house was built, and built the eighth myself in the year 1S53." 

Mr. Leeds' eldest daughter was probably the first born after the in- 
corporation of the city, her birth occurring in June of that year. A 
reference to the early titles herein published will remind the reader 
that the father of tlie first born (Jeremiah Leeds) a few years previous 



History of Atlantic City. 



practically owned the entire island upon which prosperous and popu- 
lous Atlantic is to-day situated. History repeats itself again in this 
instance. The sons of the pioneer, unlike th^ir ancestor, are not mon- 
archs of all they survey. "Outsiders" have come in and possessed 
the land, and the sons of old Jeremiah can indeed soliloquize : 

'■ Is this the huid our father loved, 

The freedom which he toiled to win ? 
Is this the soil whereon he moved? 

Are we the sons by whom are horn 
The mantles which the dead have worn ? " 



The First Board-Walk. 

The plan for the building of the first board-walk was conceived in 
the spring of 1870, by Jacob Keim, proprietor of the Chester County 
House, and Alex. Boardman, who was then a conductor, on the Cam 
den and Atlantic Railroad. They invited a few citizens to a meeting 
at that house to consider the means for constructing one for the sum- 
mer of that year. There were present John M. Ford, Lewis Gross- 
lioltz, John Donovan, David C. Spooner, Philip Hoeness, of Atlantic, 
and George W. Gilbert, representing the Lewis estate, and H. L. 
Bonsall, of the Camden Republic. A petition to Coimcil was drawn up 
at this meeting, urging the building of an ocean promenade, and a day 
or two later, Messrs. Keim and Boardman went to the beach and sur- 
veyed it from the light-house to the " Sea View. " Mr. Keim's estimate 
of the cost of such a walk Avas $5,000. Then the petition was circulated 
for signatures, both in Atlantic and in Pniladelphia, and Mr. Keim 
presented it to Council, urging in a strong speech that it might be 
complied with. There was some opposition manifested at first because, 
it was said, such a walk would draw business from the avenues. But 
finally a committee of Council, consisting of Amos Bullock and Joshua 
Note, was authorized to purchase the necessary lumber from Messrs. 
Brown & Woelpper. Councilman John Gouldey earnestly cham- 
pioned the cause. G. W. N. Custer, who was the Superintendent of 
the Camden and Atlantic Railroad, gave the plan much encour- 
agement, and he permitted conductor Boardman leave of absence from 
his duties to canvas for the undertaking, remarking: "If you can 
accomplish your purpose, I think Atlantic City will be made, and the 
Camden & Atlantic Railroad much benefitted." The city was poor 
at that time, and it was necessary to raise the means by the issue of 
script payable in the following season, when the license fund fell due. 
This script Brown & Woelpper cheerfully accepted, and the board- 
walk, which has since become such an indispensible feature of At- 
lantic, was finished on June 26th, 1S70. Its opening was celebrated 
by an excursion to Congress Hall and the Ocean House." 



History of Atlantic City. 89 

The Children's Sea-Shore House. 

This institution, the first of its kind in the United States, was 
cpened in a small cottage in 1872, and incorporated as the "Children's 
Sea-Shore House at Atlantic City, for Invalid Children," February, 
1873. In July of the same year the institution was re-opened in its 
present location, then occupying what is now its main building. Since 
that time its capacity has been each year increased, principally by the 
erection of little cottages, until it now has accommodations for about 
one hundred children and twenty-six mothers. 

The object of the corporation is to maintain, at the sea-shore, an 
institution in which children of the poorer classes, suffering from non- 
contagious diseases or from debility incident to tlie hot weather and a 
crowded city, may have good nursing and medical care, without regard 
to creed, color, or nationality. 

Children over three years of age are cared for by competent 
nurses in the large airy wards of the main building, and, in order that 
those too young to be separated from their mothers, may also be ad- 
mitted, little cottages have been erected for the mothers almost upon 
the beach. One of them is assigned to each mother with a sick infant. 
She may also have one other child with her, and have for herself and 
children the exclusive use of the cottage, taking care of it and her 
children, but having her meals provided for her in the main building. 
A separate building, located immediately on the beach, is used for 
very serious cases, needing closer attention and greater quiet than can 
be had otherwise. 

Since this institution was first opened, other most excellent organ- 
izations, with kindred objects, have been formed in Pliiladelphia. 

Managers for 1884 : President, James S. Whitney, 1815 Vine St. 
Secretary, J. Shipley Newlin, 337 Market St. Treasurer, Edward A. . 
Sibley, 136 1^. Fourth St. Rene Guillou, 615 Walnut St. ; Christian J. 
Hoffman, 112 Walnut St. ; Frank K. Hippie, 704 Walnut St. ; Mrs. 
James S. Whitney, 1815 Vine St. ; Mrs. Rene Guillou, 1722 Vine St. ; 
Mrs. Horace C. Disston, 1006 Walnut St. ; Mrs. Benj. B. Reath, 1538 
Pine St. Physician in Charge, Wm. H. Bennett, M. D., 332 S. Fif- 
teenth St. (Children's Sea-Shore House, Atlantic City, during the sum- 
mer.) Examining Physicians : Lemuel J. Deal, M. D., 552 E. Dauphin 
St. ; Fred'k P. Henry, M. D., 721 Pine St. ; Charles A. Currie, M. D., 
5118 Main St., Germantown. Consulting Physician, R. A. F. Penrose, 
M. D., 1331 Spruce St. Consulting Surgeon, Jno. Ashhurst, Jr., M. 
D., 2000 W. Delancy Place. 

Union League and Literary Association. 

During the early part of the Rebellion a secret organization was 
formed composed of Republicans exclusively, and called the Union 



i>0 History of Atlantic City. 



League, of which I^ewis Evans was president. The Union League 
retained its organization until 1861>. It held its first meetings in the 
Evard House, then at Tompkin's ice cream saloon, and later in the 
Bye Hoiise, on Atlantic avenue. The most praiseworthy work of the 
League was the institution of a branch society which it named the 
"literary Association."' This society was non-partisan, and all per- 
sons, including ladies, were invited to join. The object of the Associa- 
tion was Avhat its name signifies — a cultivation of literary tastes and 
an improvement of the winter evenings. The excellent influence of this 
society is manifest to the present day, several of our most prominent 
citizens being largely indebted to its exercises for their present hon- 
ored position. Nothing has ever so inspired the young men of the 
community to the pursuit of knowledge and a reliance upon their own 
force of character. According to the population of that time, the 
meetings of this Literary Association were the most largely attended 
and most effective for mental improvement, of any ever held in the city. 
Among those most prominent in the debating contests, were iSTewton 
Keim, John J. Gardner, John L. Bryant, Dr. Thos. K. Heed, Jacob 
Keim, Levi C. Albertson, D. W. Belisle, S. K. Morse, Gideon Grier, 
and others whose names we cannot recall. The winter days of that 
quiet time were spent chiefly in preparation for these mental contests. 
A subject would be selected by the president, and those assigned to 
tlie affirmative and negative sides of the question were given a week 
to prepare. Perliaps no closer thought or more careful research was 
ever given subjects Ijefore a debating society. It was a test of metal 
and a trial of pride, that was appreciated by the large assemblages, 
and which has since proven of incalculable benefit to the participants. 
Another interesting and profitable feature was the journal read at 
each meeting. The editorship, which lasted a week only, was assigned 
to any i)erson the president migiit chose. Communications were solic- 
ited, and that the modest beginner might be encouraged, the name of 
the author, if desired, was kept secret. Dramatic entertainments 
were given, and many will recall to mind the local fame won by the 
actors of "Down by the Sea." The Association held winter sessions 
of varying interest and success until 1880, when, to the misfortune of 
the (^onnnunity, it was i)ermitted to disband. The much worn phrase 
''gone but not forgotten," applies truthfully in this connection. 

•• Wlii'ii time which stfal.s our years away, 

Shall Moal our pleasures, too. 
'I'lie uieniory of the jiast will slay, 
Au(i halt our joys renew," 

— - • 

TiiK MiTciiNEii Lakd Sale. 

Probably the greatest sacrifice of land in Atlantic City was that 
sold by Thos. Dudley, acting for the trustees of what is remembered 



History of Atlantic City. 



91 



as the Mitcbner estate. In order to settle the accounts of the estate 
the sale was made in 1S(')5. The land had been divided into lots, and 
was located at various places between Connecticut and Pennsylvania 
avenues, running from the ocean to the meadows. Very few people 
attended the sale, and when tlie price at which lots had been sold for 
became known, there was a general expression of astonishment. 
From Mr. K. T. Evard we learn that lots on New Jersey avenue, be- 
between Atlantic and Maryland avenues, sold for |1G each, and that 
lots of the same dimension on Arctic avenue sold for !$6 each. Three 






r" 




THE DENNIS — JOS. H. BORTON, PROPRIETOR. 



years later some of the land that was bought for $16 was sold for 
The same lots could not be purchased now for less than $1,000 each. 
Over towards Pacific avenue lots were disposed of at prices ranging 
from $50 to about $150. Mr. Chas. Burkhardt made several purchases 
on this occasion," from which he realized largely afterwards. The 
whole square between Connecticut and New Jersey avenues, running 
from Pacific avenue to the ocean, was offered for sale at $1,000, and 
did not receive a bidder. It was thereupon sold in lots, netting about 
$1,300 for the square. A single lot on Pacific avenue could not be 
purchased for that sum to-day. 




ill self-defense, and he 
was acquitted. Mr, 
Thomas Daly and pres- 
ent City Clerk Albertson 
witnessed the tragedy. 

About seven o'clock 
on the evening of Sun- 
day. July 10, 1881, John 
Somers, employed in 
Disston's mill in this 
place, brained special 
officer William ]\Iussen 
w'ith an axe. Death en- 
sued shortly thereafter. 
Mussen was sixty-five 
years of age and was 
watchman for the Diss- 
tons. Somers had been 
on a debauch and was 
crazed by liquor when he 
perpetrated the crime. 
Mussen's only offense 
was in remonstrating 
with Somers for tpiarrel- 
ing with his wife. When 
sober he was a peaceable, 
orderly citizen. He had 
a captain's commission 
during the war and dis- 
tinguished himself for 
bravery. lie was tried 
before Judge Reed at 
]SIay\s Landing and sen- 
tenced to State's prison 
for life, where he is now 
serving his term. His 
l)revious good character 
and excellent record as a 
soldier was probably 
what saved him from the 
gallows. H. L. Slape, 
I->q., was his counsel, 

Howard 1). Strickland, 
twenty years of age, 
residing on Maryland 
Avenue, committed sui- 
cide by drowning, in 
Clam Creek, near the boat 



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Missing 
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History of Atlantic City. 95 

houses, on Sunday night, February 1, 1880. No positive cause is as- 
signed for the act. 

About five o'clock on the morning of August 11, 1880, a newsboy 
passing the beach pavilion of the Shelburne House, saw a man lying 
dead on one of the seats. Investigation proved it to be Geo. B. Hacker, 
of Philadelphia. Two vials labeled "laudanum" were found in his 
pocket, as was also the following note : 

"Mrs. G. W. Hacker, 3.38 Eleventh Avenue, Xew York, care of 
Mrs. Bradford or Mrs. Ocean, Haverstraw, N. J." On the opposite 
side of the paper was : 

"Writing autographs is tough, 
I've written two lines and that's enough." 

The body was taken in charge by Hacker's mother, who was resid- 
ing in Manayunk. He was twenty-five years of age, and was married. 

John G. Yose arrived from Philadelphia, on the evening of March 
17th, 1874, and registered at the "West End," now Kuehnle's. Chat- 
ting pleasantly witli Mr. R. A. Field, proprietor, and conductor AVyatt, 
he enquired for directions to the post office, and started therefor. His 
body was discovered on the beach in the morning by Daniel Paul. It 
transpired that he was from Orange, N. J., and had escaped from 
Kirkbride's Asylum for the insane, into which he had been placed on 
account of a demented mind, the result of brooding over the death of his 
wife, in Europe, the year previous. The letter mailed in this city was 
to a relative in Orange, stating that he was going to swim over to 
Europe to see his wife. 

Mrs. Paul Hambrick, an aged lady, committed suicid(! by drown- 
ing in the ocean on the night of September 11, 1883. Her body was 
found a short distance below the Excursion Hou.se, on the following 
morning. Family troubles are supposed to have impelled her to the 
deed. 



Sad Case of Drowning. 

A very sad case of drowning, in which five persons found watery 
graves, happened at the bar, at the entrance of the inlet, on Friday 
afternoon, July 18, 1874. Daniel Offly Sharpless and his wife, Esther ; 
Miss Caroline Sharpless, a young lady about nineteen years of age ; 
Master Alfred Sharpless, a lad of fourteen ; Mrs. Bettle, Miss Anna 
W. Roberts, daughter of the proprietor of the Chalfonte, and Mr. 
Clark, all of whom, with the exception of Miss Roberts and Mr. Clark, 
were visitors from Philadelphia, spending a few days at the cottage of 
the Hon. Edward Bettle, engaged the yacht "A. B. Thompson," 
Captain Francis Steelman, and went sailing out to sea. A stiff breeze 



I 



90 History of Atlantic City. 

was prevailing, and the sea ran high. "When the yacht was crossing 
the bar, it was struck astern with a lieavy sea, and capsized. All on 
board were drowned, save Mrs. Bettle, Mr. Clarke, and Captain Steel- 
man. 

• O, Sunimer day, beside the surging ^ea ! 
(>, Summer day, so wonderful and white, 
So full of gladness and so full of pain : 
Forever and forever shalt thou be 

To some the gravestone of a dead deli.^hl. 
To some the laudmai'U of a new domain '. " 



SlIIPWRECKERS AND DROWNING. 

The anii)liibious banditti that, prior to 170(1. fattened uponthe 
misfortunes of their fellow-beings who suffered the hardships of the 
wrecks, were familiarly recognized by more civilized people as " Barne- 
gat pirates." These consisted of desperate characters, who in a great 
measure resembled that small class of " dog-gun-and-nigger poor 
whites" of the South, who subsisted, before the war, by shooting and 
fishing. When wrecks were scarce and false beacons failed in the 
performance of their required duty, these diabolical specimens of 
genus homo, lived the lives of wandering "bummers," peripateticating 
between Absecon village and the beach, and occasionally oystering 
and fishing, to preserve the connecting link between the soul and 
body. To this day the visitor will hear of strange, wild incidents 
that occurred in years gone by upon this sandy waste. The old stagers 
who came after the pirates above referred to, and were already willing 
and ready to lend a helping hand to the shipwrecked mariner, now 
hanging upon the verge of life and expecting any moment to leap into 
the 'unknown, fondly will relate around the evening fire, hoAV the 
wild, half-savage wrecker held sway of all around him, save the waves 
from which he drew his livelihood. Many of the accounts of wrecks 
that have been preserved in the manuscript from which we glean the 
facts are full of both romantic incident and absorbing interest. 

Since the completion of the light-house there have been but few 
wrecks, and little loss of life has taken place thereby 

For information relative to the shipwrecks on the coast of this 
island we are indebted to the History of Atlantic, by Carnesworth, 
cdias A. Barrington Irvine, published in IStiS ; to the history kept in 
Adams' log book, a scrap book kept by Lewis Evans, and conversa- 
tions with residents and sea captains. From the history referred to 
we quote almost verhatim: 

In the winter of 1S.'50, the ship "George Cannon," from Liver- 
pool, with a cargo of liardware and dry goods came ashore. Tlie 
boxes of dry goods were thrown overV)oard, and soon lined the strand. 



History of Atlantic City. 



97 



"Where the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered to- 
gether." Tlie off-shore people scented the prey, and came in crowds 
eager for the spoils. Then began the most exciting game of "hide 
and seek" the world has ever witnessed. Cupidity and rapacity 
crushed out all sense of honor. Neighbor robbed neighbor. Holes 
were made in the hills, and the boxes buried, but wbile the party 
who had hidden and was gone to seek another, somebody would dig 
it out and convey it to another place of concealment. Gains were un- 
certain, and in some instances, parties who thought they had saved 
a goodly store, returned home almost empty-handed. 

The night was bitter 
cold, and two men who 
started to go to a hotel 
kept at Great P]gg Har- 
bor Inlet, perished on 
t)ie liills this side of 
Cedar Grove. 

A nameless craft, with 
black hull and raking 
masts, supposed to be 
piratical, was wrecked 
here about this time, and 
the crew was taken off 
just before she went to 
pieces. Soon after they 
were landed, tlie captain, 
whose mind had been 
shattered by the disaster 
handed his gold watch to 
the mate, and then delib- 
erately walked into the 
surf and was drowned. 
The crew and wreckers 
joined hands and tried 
to rescue him, but lie immediately disappeared. He must have 
been carried out to sea by the ebbing tide, as his body was never 
washed ashore. 

His comrades said he had a large sum of specie on his person, and 
expressed much regret at its loss, but no sorrow for the death of their 
whilom leader. They were villainous looking men, and confirmed the 
suspicions of their nefarious calling by mysteriously decamping in tlie 
night. In the interim between September, 1847, and January, 1850, 
sixty-four vessels came ashore, five in one night — a schooner, a shij), 
and a brig. Many of these were gotten off, and in only two instances 
were lives lost. Xo higher panegyric of the courage and capacity of 




( OL. Gi:o. W. IIIXKLE, 

FOn TWENTV-FIVE YEARS PROPRIETOR OF 

rox(;:;ESS hall. 



98 History of Atlantic City. 

predecessors as wrecking masters can be given than this unvarnislied 
statement. 

The following is a memorandum by Ryan Adams: "April 16, 
1854, the bark Powhattan was wrecked on Long Beach, 'Ml passen- 
gers on board ; all lost ; not one left to tell the tale. Thirty of the 
dead bodies came to tlie shore here and were taken to the mainland 
and buried." 

Bodies Found. 

April 17. A lad 1(5 years old. 

IS. A young man, a girl, and a child two or three years 
old. 

April 24. A woman 30 years of age, with a linen bag on her neck, 
fastened with a string like a iish line, containing a writing to carry 
her safe to heaven — written in Dutch. 

April 29. Found by .John Horner, two men and one girl. One 
man had an anchor-bowl marked between his thumb and tinger ; light 
hair. 

The " Pork Road " was cut through in 1850, to cart the cargo — 
pork and liams — of the ship Edgar, to tlie meadow side of the island. 

Every morning, between daybreak and sunrise, the former resi- 
dent would wend his way to the strand, to see if a vessel were on, or 
to pick up the waif of interest or value that the receding waves had 
left upon the shore. 

In 1830, the "GTherge's Klian,'- was totally destroyed off the beach; 
the majority of the passengers were saved, among whom was a little 
child of nine years of age, that was afterwards restored to joyous pa- 
rents who lived far out in the wilds of the then almost unexplored 
AVest ; Captain Burk, the commander of the vessel, committed sui- 
cide. A few years after this the " .John Willets " was a total wreck 
upon the coast, one man floated ashore wlio had been frozen to death, 
and Mr. liobinson, who has since taught scliool in Absecon. was an- 
other survivor of the ill-fated barque. In 1845, Captain Faircloyk's 
" Rainbow," was wrecked. The next year a most harrowing affair 
occurred. A small schooner had been wrecked, and when the attention 
of the beach jjcople had been called to the perilous condition of those 
aboard, tlie wreck-boat was despatched from the (rovernment boat 
house which then stood about where the Ocean House now is, to ren- 
der what assistance soever was possible. As the wreck-boat approached 
the scene of disaster the cries for help were more and more distressing, 
the confusion became multiplied to such an extent that although the 
captain and his sailors were soon safely transferred, in the midst of 
tiie excitement the skipi)ers' wife had fallen beneath the waves ; lier 
body was recovered. J^owe was tlie captain's name. 



History of Atlantic City. 99 



Another wreck, the " Polly "VVhimple," took place about 1860. A 

rich lady, who had several hundred dollars' worth of jewelry on her 

person, would have been drowned but for the heroic coudi;ct of a sailor. 

• The same brave fellow was drowned in an attempt to save another 

woman's life. 

The schooner "General Scott," was wrecked in 1840. The captain 
was the only person saved ; he floated ashore on a feather bed. 

On January 13, 185(3, the "Charles Colgate," of New York, ran 
ashore and became a total Avi-eck. The crew was saved by the life-boat. 

On the 25th of February, 1858, the " Flying Dutchman," went to 
pieces at nearly the same spot where the Colgate broke. No lives lost. 

On the 21st of November, 1851, the barque "Baldin," of South- 
port, with a cargo of cotton and merchandise, ran ashore with her 
mast cut away and water logged. 

On the 16th of December, 1847, the schooner Mississippi, of Haunch, 
took shelter in the inlet. She was laden with corn, peas and beans. 
The next entry we And is that of the British schooner, Ida, Captain 
Roberts, bound whither for St. John's, N. B., or St. John's, N. F., is 
impossible to tell. This entry is dated January 2d, 1849. On the 25th 
of January, 1840, the barque Mary Ellen, of New York, ran ashore. 
On St. Patrick's day, 1849, the barque Chester, of New Orleans, Cap- 
tain Robinson, ran ashore. On November 25th, 1849, ran ashore, the 
schooner Walter A. Merchant, of Washington, N. C, laden with na- 
val stores aad shingles. December 25th, schooner Brook Haven of 
Newport, from Norfolk, Va., bound for Fall River, Mass., came 
ashore. January 4th, 1840, the schooner Independence, of Washington, 
N. C, laden with naval stores; got off the next morning. The fol- 
lowing vessels came ashore in 1850 : May 5th, schooner James A- 
Sanders, of Hampton, Va., Captain Fennis, laden with oysters, 
bound for Staten Island. May 6th, brig Four Brothers, of Philadel- 
phia, came on with deck stove in ; load lessened and gotten off. May 
18th, schooner Vermillion, of New York, laden with coal ; got off next 
night. December 19th, brig Repplier, of Boston ; coal ; bound for 
New York. 

The Santiago de Cuba ran ashore on this beach in the fall of 1867. 
Seven persons were drowned, including tliree women, two sailors, a 
girl ten years of age, and her mother. The child's body was washed 
ashore some days after the catastrophe. The corpse was kept until 
such time as a zinc coffin could be procured, and communication made 
with deceased relatives, who at that time lived in Delphi, Illinois. 
When the grandfather of the child, an old man about seventy-five 
years of age, heard of the fate of his daughter and granddaughter, he 
became hopelessly insane, and died six weeks after the sad news 
reached him. A Welchman rescued from the sliip returned to his own 
country, and an Irish girl who had accumulated a small fortune in 

L.ofC. 




California, was among 
the niisfortunate seven 
on the present occasion. 
The other female, who 
was consigned to a wa- 
tery grave, was a South- 
ern lady, who had been 
married but a few weeks. 
The people of the boat 
report that her hus- 
band became unmanned. 
He mourned and moaned 
for ills wife, and, like 
Bochee sorrowing for 
her little ones, •'re- 
fused to be comforted 
because his wife was 
, not.'' About three 
S months afterwards, a 
y ^Michigan woman, whose 
~ husband had been miss- 
r ing for some time, ap- 
peared at Atlantic City, 
5 and with the most per- 
is feet none ludance, made 
p inquiry concerning the 
., sailors that had been 
'f lost. The body of one 
? had been washed ashore, 
y. and a description was 
' given her, so far as 
sueli a thing was prac- 
ticable. She concluded 
that the description an- 
swered completely to her 
" long-lost husband, '" 
and proceeded to calcu- 
late how much he should 
have drawn in the way 
of pay since he had left 
her, provided he had 
joined the ship about 
tlie time their commuta- 
tive bliss proceeded upon 
a journey in an eleva- 
ted direction through a 
storm. She also conjec- 
tured upon the propriety 



History of Atlantic City. 101 

of re-marrying. She did so. She succeeded in obtaining from the 
vessel's owners the back pay dne lier liege lord — retired to Michigan, 
and took to herself a husband. 

• Just before the Revolutionary War the ship Ellis, from Liverpool, 
bound to Kew York, came ashore upon the shoals at Ahsecon beach. 
She was loaded with tea, and had on board a quantity of silver plate. 
She also carried a British official, who had been commissioned by the 
Crown to enforce the stamp act. 

In 1830, George Cannon, from Liverpool, with a cargo of hard- 
ware and dry goods, came ashore on Absecon Beach, and the vessel 
and cargo was a total lo.ss. 

September 30, 1847, schooner Zepham, of Xew Orleans, laden with, 
coal. 

October 8, 1847, the brig Laviant, from Boston, Capt. R. Welch, 
laden with molasses. 

May 18, 1850, schooner Vermillion, of New York, laden with 
coal. Got off the next night. 

Dec. 8, 1850, brig Canemain, of Boston, Capt. Euptill, laden 
with coal ; bound for Boston. 

Dec. 9, 1850, barque Reppler, of Boston, Capt. .James Copps, laden 
with pepper, bound for Xew York. 

-January 2(3, 1851, barque Elviro Harber, of Xew York, Capt. 
Richard Dickney, laden with molasses and sugar, lead and rags. 

February, 1851, sloop Elizabeth Ann, of Rockaway, picked up at 
sea by Capt. S. Brewer. 

February 22, 1851, barque Wirkwood, of Baltimore, Capt. S. 
Martin, laden with coffee, on Brigantine Beach; schooner Rio, of 
Great Egg Harbor, laden with cortl, for Xew York. 

Sept. 14, 1851, schooner Elmira, Capt. .Joseph Bulong, on Abse- 
con, south sice of inlet, laden with pine wood. 

October 4, 1851, sloop Patrick, of Long Island, Capt. G. Watts, 
on south side of inlet, laden with clams. 

Xov. 16, 1851, schooner Hezran, of Xewburyport, Capt. Disney, 
laden with merchandise. Gotten off by Ryan Adams. 

Dec. 26, 1851, barque Matogerde, of Xew York, Capt. Richard- 
son, laden with lumber for Florida. 

Dec. 8, 1852, schooner Rainbow, of Xorth Carolina, laden with 
spirits of turpentine. Seven persons on board ; all rescued. 

January, 1853, schooner Anteris, of Cape ]May, Capt. Thomas 
Longilder, laden with corn and cotton ; came ashore on south side of 
Absecon Bar. Gotten off by Ryan Adams. 

]March 10, 1853, schooner May Powell, of Xew York, Capt. Rod- 
gers, laden with cotton and naval stores. 

May 26, 1853, schooner Elizabeth, of Mystic or Brighton, Capt. J. 
Sawyer, laden with cotton. 



102 History of Atlaktic City. 

September. 1853, schooner Alviug, of Philadeldhia, bound to New 
York, laden with coal. 

Xov. *.•, 1853, schooner James H. Brame, of Yarmouth, Capt. 
George Redding, laden with logwood and mahogany, from San Do- 
mingo. 

December 7, 1853, schooner Franklin, Capt. Geo, Lock, laden 
with corn, from Norfolk, Va., bound to New York. 

Dec. 19, 1853, schooner Benj. Douglas, of Middleton, Conn., Capt. 
Taylor, laden with curbstone. 

January 2, 1854. schooner Yesta, of Belfast, Capt. Hall, laden 
with dried fish and mackerel, from Philadelphia, bound to New York. 
Came ashore on Absecon bar, south side of inlet. 

Feb. 22, 1854, barque S. J. Roberts, of Providence, Capt. J. C. 
Deutch. from Marseilles, bound to New York : sorted cargo. 

May 17, 1854, United States ship Leanan, came ashore a (luarter 
of seven a. m., and got off about 8 A. m. 

Nov. 1(3, 1854, brig Pedroga, of New York, from Nassau, Capt. 
James Burns, laden with logwood and sponge ; came ashore on south 
side of Absecon bar ; went all to pieces. 

Jan. 18, 1855, schooner Josephine, laden with oysters ; crew all 
saved l)y the lifeboat. 

Jan. 22, 1855, schooner Thomas Y. Beckert, of Wilmington, N. 
C, Capt. Geo. Shaw ; all hands saved dry on the beach at low tide. 

•Tan. 22, 1855, schooner May, laden with oysters ; all saved. 

•July, 1855, schooner Charles H. Mills, laden with naval stores ; 
bound to New York. 

November 1'.), lSo5, schooner Benj. English, of New Haven, from 
Philadelphia, laden with coal and pig-iron ; Capt. Lyons. Got off, 
leaking badly. 

November 19, 1855, S. D. Bellows, of Philadelphia, laden with 
coal. Got off same day. 

September .JO, 1850, banjue Kirkland, of Baltimore, Capt. Ben- 
thall. bound to New York, laden with coffee, came ashore near Inlet. 

December 3, 1850, schooner Lyda Copathyle, of Toms River, 
Capt. Daniel Williams, came ashore below^ Dry Inlet, laden with pine 
lumber. 

January, 1857, schooner M. Piatt, Capt. David D. Day, came 
ashore south side of Absecon bar, laden with naval stores. 

January 31, 1857, schooner Cormelita, Capt. Cornell, laden with 
hides and logwood. 

1880, schooner Anson Stinson, came ashore opposite West .Jersey 
Excursion House. All the crew sick, and captain had been buried at 
at sea. Schooner stuck on beach, and was a total loss. Cargo partly 
saved. 



History' of Atlantic City. 



103 



1880, schooner Lyda Reed, from Cape May, came ashore. Total 
loss. 

December 29, 1832, sloop William Tell, came ashore on Absecon 
bar, npper side of Inlet. She was a codfish smack. Total loss. 

Feb. 17, 1883, scliooner Enterprise, Captain Jones, bound for 
New York. Went to pieces. 

August 2, 1883, steamer Tuckahoe, loaded with wateraelons, 
struck on a bar opposite lighthouse. Got off without damage. 

January 9, 1884, the schooner Robert Morgan, from New Haven, 
bound for Richmond, lightly laden, came ashore opposite Kentucky 




SEASIDE HOUSE — C HAS. EVAXS, PROPRIETOK. 



avenue. She was a new, three-masted schooner, and a handsome ves- 
sel. She was left stranded high and dry at low water, and people 
drove around her with teams. The Morgan was the means of bringing 
a great many visitors to Atlantic at that time, who came especially to 
view the vessel. A couple of enterprising newsboys derived a consider- 
able revenue by cliarging admission to go aboard. Just five months 
and two days after the Morgan was stranded, it was again set afioat, 
and carried to Philadelphia to undergo repairs. 

Before the establishment of life-saving stations on the coast, by 
the Government, many shipwrecked sailors were drowned. But since 
the provision of these grand institutions, drowning very rarely occurred. 



104 History of Atlantic City. 

As nearly as we can ascertain, about one liuiidred people have drowned 
on accoiint of shipwreck on this beach. 

•• Years have waiuk-red by. 

Side by side beiieatli the water 
Cvew and Captain lie: 

There the sunlit ocean tosses 
<)"er theni mouldering. 

And the lonely seabird crosses 
With one waft of the wing." 

While a storm was raging, on the afternoon of August 18, 1879, 
a schooner was sighted near the mouth of the inlet, shortly there- 
after coming ashore at the foot of Ehode Island avenue. The 
schooner w'as blown dow^i the beach and was soon at a point off Xorth 
Carolina avenue, where she halted and tossed dangerously about 
in breakers which deluged her decks and sent their foam'high into the 
ringing. But four men could be seen on board, two of whom were 
clinging to the ratlings ; one was on the cross-trees of the foremast, 
and one lay upon the end of the bowsprit. Darkness was creeping 
upon the scene, with a fa«t-clearing sky overhead. The tide arose 
higher and higher, drove the crowd from the beach, and washed the 
board-walk away. At high tide, when the schooner could no longer 
be seen, a rocket was sent in the direction in which she was supposed 
to be to discover if she had fioated off, but she was not discernible. 
When the tide fell, a boii-fire was lierhted upon the beach, wlrch illu- 
minated the sea sufficiently to make her plainly visible again, a little 
further down the beach. 

Shortly after midnight, Michael Bradford, E. L. Owens, Frank 
Livingston and James Donnelly took the City Life Boat No. 2, and 
went out to the vessel. It was a hard row, and the light boat was 
broken to pieces just as the men reached the grounded schooner. 
They took a line with them and attached it to the vessel, but had no 
means of getting back with their boat broken. Tliey foiuid the crew 
on the deck in a cold and half- famished condition. At ten minutes 
to two o'clock on Tuesday morning the Government crew of station 
No. 27, consisting of Captain William Arthur. William Baker, Ed- 
ward Parker, Henry Monroe, John Nixon and Purnell Bowen, 
launched their life-boat and w^ent out to the schooner, bringing all on 
board to shore. The men were at once taken by Mr, Williams, of 
Germantown Cottage, to liis house, where they were kindly cared for. 
It was ascertained that the Curtis was boiuid for Portapotauk, Vir- 
ginia, with i)ine wood. Iler crew consisted of Capt. Amlnose Pierce, 
of Keyport, Maine ; Abraham Hatfield, of Egg Harbor, mate : AVilliam 
Cuitis, of West Goldsboro, Maine, and Thomas Maion, Jr., cook. 
They stated that as soon as their boat struck the bar she immediately 
bilged. Slie was gotten off the beach a few days later. 



History of Atlantic City. 105 



The Rockaway, a newly launched excursion steamer, Avas wrecked 
on this beach, near Pennsylvania Avenue, on March 25, 1877. The 
boat had left Norfolk, for Xew York, on the previous Saturday, in tow 
of the Old Dominion steamship Wyanoke. She was built at Atlantic 
City, near Norfolk, Va., for R. Cornell White, of New York, designed 
for the excursion trade between New York and Rockaway Beach. 
The hawser parted during a heavy sea after nightfall. The craft 
went to pieces. No lives were lost. The speed of the Rockaway was 
calculated to be twenty miles an hour, 1,950 tons burden, and in- 
tended to carry 4000 passengers. Capt. Crouch commanded the 
Wyanoke. Among the passengers were Mr. White, his wife, two 
sons and daughter. 

The steamer Cassandra, though not wrecked on this beach, is so 
connected with our summer life that a history of Atlantic would be in- 
complete without a reference to it. She struck Brigantine Shoals, 
February 5, 1867, sunk and became a total loss. Cargo, cotton, hides, 
leather, moss, etc. Built of oak and three years old. Bound from 
New Orleans to New York, Capt. Daniel McLaughlin, Crew 30 men, 
no passengers, crew all rescued by a wrecking schooner. Register 
1,284 tons. Her sunken boilers became the rendezvous of fish, par- 
ticularly of the sheepshead species, and many splendid catches by At- 
lantic City fishermen have been recorded. 

The schooner Rapidan ran ashore near the lighthouse, on Oct. 13, 
1870. Gotten off by Capt. Japhet Townsend, wrecking master. 

The ship Maria came ashore about a mile below the Excursion 
House in the year 1863. Laden with cotton. Cargo saved ; ship 
went to pieces. 

Sept. 8, 1874, schooner Hannah Little, in the bar ; gotten off 
Nov. 15, 1875. Schooner Eliza Godfrey, on bar ; went off Jan. 20, 
'72. Schooner Sarah Eldridge, on bar ; went off Nov. 3, '82. Ship L. 
C. Wallace, on bar ; went off Dec. 29, '82. Yacht Emma, on bar ; 
went off Dec. 30, '82. Ship Wm. Zice, on bar ; gotten off Aug. 2, '82. 
Steamer Tuckahoe, on bar ; went off Dec. 15, 'S3. Sloop Katie Becker, 
on bar ; went off May 17, '81. Wm. Tice, on bar ; off Aug. 28, 1882. 
Schooner Estella Day, on the beach ; gotten off Sept. 15, 1882. Sloop 
Alert, on bar; gotten off Jan. 0, 1881. Schooner Anson Stinson, on 
beach ; gotten off Feb. 5, '81. Schooner John Roach, on bar ; went 
off Aug. 15, '81. Sloop Julia A. Reed, on beach, Oct. 15, 1881. Yacht 
R. M. McCristol, capsized on bar, Nov. 18, '77. Sloop Wallace, on bar; 
went off. 

First Marriage. 

The only record we have been able ro find of the first marriage 
ceremony after the incorporation of the city, is in a comnuuiication to 
the Philadelphia Ledger. The letter is dated at this place, and says 



106 



History of Atlantic City. 



that " the first wedding in Atlantic City occurred on the second of 
May, 1854. ■■ The if f/yec correspondent says further tliat the couple 
came from Philadelphia in search of employment, with the u)iderstand- 
ing that if they were successful, a wedding should immediately follow. 
The would-be bridegroom was a painter by trade, and the prospective 
bride a seamstress. The painter found employment immediately, but 
the woman was lest- fortunate. They concluded to marry, however, and 
the services of a visiting clergyman whose name is not given, was ob- 
tained, and the marriage ceremony performed at the house of Ryan 
Adams, where the happy couple spent their honeymoon. Joseph J. 
Elliott was the name of the bridegroom and Susanna Cummings the 
name of the bride. 




••Many all evening" by the waters did we watch tlie stately shii).>*. 
And Dur .spirits rushed together at the touching of the lips." 

Thk Post Offices. 

The summer of 1854 was signalized by the appointment of Robert 
B. Leeds, Es(i., Postmaster of Atlantic City. Judge Campbell, who 
adorned the .summer society of this enchanting resort in the summer 
of 1873, was Postmaster-General when Mr. Leeds was appointed, and 
wrote to him not to wait for his commission, but to proceed at once 
to receive and distribute the mail. The position was not one to 
tempt the avaricious, as the percentage on the receipts for the first 
year was only fifty dollars. The election of Pennsylvania's son, James 
Buchanan, to the Presidency gave the office to Thomas McNeelis,who 
was succeeded by Michael Lawlor, the former courteous and honorable 
proprietor of the Central House. Mr. Lawlor occupied a small room 
on Tennessee avenue and handed the mail through a little window 
opening on a narrow porch. Immediately after the distribution of 
each mail, Mr. Lawlor, in ricli Irish brogue, would call the name on 
«^ach envelope, persons on the outside responding '•'aye,''' or '' here," 



History of Atlaxtic City. 107 

as their names were announced. After the inauguration of President 
Lincohi, the office was given to Dr. Lewis Reed, still a highly respected 
resident of this city. He transferred the office to a store building op- 
posite the United States Hotel,. He served continuously until March 
1st, 1872, when Mr. Levi C. Albertson, the present efficient incum- 
bent assumed the duties of the office. A room in the Ashland House 
then became the post office until it was taken to the building now oc- 
cupied by Gardner & Shinn. The rapid increase in the business of 
the office rendered the erection of the present post office building 
necessary in the year 1880. The amount received for stamps in 1872, 
Mr. Albertson's first year, was less than |2,500. The amount received 
for stamps during the year ending March 1, 1881, was over 115,000, a 
convincing testimony of the city's marvelous progress. 



A Pioneer Poetess. 

One of the memorable characters in the early history of Atlantic 
was Mrs. Rachel Rhoades, wife of the first Alderman of the city. 
She came here with her husband before the completion of the railroad, 
and remained long after her widowhood, until about the year 1874, 
when she went where all parting, care and pain are at an end. She 
was talented, an extremely interesting conversationalist, and a very 
eccentric old lady withal. She seldom, if ever, exchanged visits with 
her neighbors, but in her home always prevailed free-hearted hospital- 
ity. She was an incessant reader, and was familiar with most of the 
popular works of literature of the time. Poetry and fiction were her 
delight, and many of the local incidents of that day she reduced to 
rhyme. As age came upon her so did her love for the society of chil- 
dren and young people increase. When time dimmed her eyesight, she 
always had with her some young girl, who would read to her by the 
hour. Her mind ran to poetry and to the past. Often awakening as if 
from a dream she would say to her companion, quoting a favorite 
stanza from Longfellow : 

'• Uome, read to me some poem, 
Some simijie and heartfelt lity, 
That shaU soothe this restless feeling, 
And banish the thoughts ot day." 

A favorite pastime was lonely walks along the beach. She would 
venture out during the most terrific gales. Perhaps when the storms 
of wild emotion struck the ocean of the poet's soul, from her heart 
there floated the fragment of a song, for she invariably committed 
some thought to rhyme after each of these solitary strolls by the sea. She 
was the author of a novel entitled, "• Zimluka," and also of a book of 



108 History of Atlantic City. 

poems Avhich gained some celebrity. The ocean held a peculiar charm 
and spell over her, and her poetry mostly referred to it. The heroine 
of the romance hitherto mentioned was "The Hag of the Beatling 
Cliff.'' For many years she lived in a plain cottage, situated where 
District Attorney Graham's summer residence now stands. It is 
probable that when gazing seaward, which she would do for liours at 
a time, her thoughts were : 

" i;ver drifting:. Oril'ting. drifting 

On the shifting 
Currents of the restless heart : 

Till at length in books recorded. 
They, like hoarded 

Household words, no more depart." 



Atlantic City's " Bare-Foot Boy." 

The life of Hon. John J. Gardner is a splendid illustration of the 
beneficence of the institutions of America, and of the generous possi- 
bilities scattered in the pathway of every industrious and ambitious 
young man. He came here from the mainland at the age of eleven 
years, in April, 1857, Up to the time of the breaking out of the Re- 
bellion he followed about the only pursuit open to the boys of that day, 
viz., following the bay and hauling sand. AVhen Uncle Sam issued his 
call for men to put down the Rebellion, John Gardner, only fifteen 
years of age, was among the first to respond. He shouldered his mus- 
ket in the Sixth Regiment, serving: in this and Hancock's Corps until 
the close of the war. He now turned his attention to books, and took 
a course or two at Ann Arbor, Michigan. Returning home, he was 
elected Mayor, in November, 1868. He discharged the duties of this 
office so satisfactorily that he was re-elected for seven years, a part of 
the time his name being on the ticket of both political parties. He 
declined an eighth term. In 1877, he was elected State Senator, and 
was re-elected in 1880 and 1883. He was President of the Senate dur- 
ing the Session of 1883. He was elected a delegate at large to the Na- 
tional Convention, which nominated Hon. James G. Blaine for Pre- 
sident, and also was a member of the Commission appointed to prepare 
amendments to the State Constitution. He was one of the original 
members of the Board of Directors of the Philadeli>hia and Atlantic 
Railroad Company, and is now very favorably mentioned in connection 
with the nomination for Congress from this district. He opened the 
first real estate office in this city, in 1868. While not a professional 
laAvyer, Mr. Gardner has accurate and acute legal perceptions. No 
sudden accident gave him popularity. Xo adventitious circumstances 
promoted him to high station. He has won them by his own forces of 
character and trustworthiness. He is a man of considerable political 
astuteness, and is seldom, if ever, involved in fadious contentions. 



History of Atlajj^tic City. 



109 



Military Companies. 

• There is a sound of thunder afar. 

Storm in the South that darkens the day, 
Storm of battle and thunder of war. 

Well it it do not roll our way. 
Form ! Form ! Kitlemen Form I 
Ready, be ready to meet the storm ! 
Kitlemen ! ritlemen ! ritleiHen form I 



The spirit of patriotism and loyalty with whicli Atlantic was im- 
bued at the outbreak of the Rebellion, is demonstrated in the fact 
that a militia company formed immediately after the firing upon Fort 

Sumter, contained al- 
most every male resi- 
dent between the ages 
of eighteen and. forty. 
The only man in the 
community at that time 
who had any practical 
knowledge of military 
tactics was John Farley, 
who had served in the 
British Army. The com- 
pany organized by the 
election of Robert B. 
Leeds as Captain, and 
Farley as Drill-Master. 
Jos. Barstow was chosen 
First Lieutenant, Hun- 
ter McClees Second Lieu- 
tenant ; Orderly Ser- 
geant, Frank Harbor ; 
Wm. Souder, Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel of the County 
Militia. Wm. Souder 
was fifer and John 
Bullock, drunuiier. Tlie uniform was grey trousers with yellow stripe 
down the side, blue shirts with silver stars, fatigue caps. The com- 
pany met in Nicholas Wurth's up-town excursion house for drilling 
exercise. Mr. Barstow succeeded Mr. Leeds as Captain shortly after 
the organization of the company. Xo record of the membership seems 
to have been preserved. The company was never mustered into ser- 
vice on account of most of its members enlisting in various New Jer- 
sey and Pennsylvania regiments. The organization was retained for 
a, couple of years, however, by the old men of the city joining, and 
thereby constituting a ''Home Guard." 




ALBERT H. DISSTON, DECEASED, 

PllOMINENT COTTAGER AyD ADVOCATE OP 
ATLANTIC. 



110 History of Atlantic City. 

Company F, Sixth Regiment, State National Guards, was organ- 
ized in this city in 1870, and mustered in service. The officers were : 
Captain, Jos. T. Note ; First Lieutenant, John Gardner : Second Lieu- 
tenant, Jos. Holmes, subsequently J. V. Albertson : First Sergeant. 
S. L. Wescoot. The company was armed and equipped at the ex- 
pense of the State, It attended reviews of the State Militia and 
attracted attention as one of the best, if not the best, drilled and dis- 
ciplined company in the service. Disbanded after two or three 
years service. 



The Churchks. 

The pioneer settlers with a religious sense like that with which 
prophets and holy men of old consecrated certain spots, assembled 
soon after the incorporation, and began to prepare for the erection of 
a temple to God. The voice of nature never speaks more impressively 
than by the sea, and to our fathers, no doubt, every breeze was vocal 
with the still, small voice. In the flow of the ocean, in the flight of 
the sea-bird, in the atmosphere itself, they recognized the mysterious 
power which gives vitality to the soul, and teaches the glory of God. 
As a result of these conferences, the first Methodist church was dedi- 
cated in the year 1857, and still stands as originally built, on Atlantic 
Avenue, below Massachusetts. The citizen points with ]tride to this 
edifice as conspicuous testimony to the Christian spirit of our fathers, 
for 

•■ Here holy thought^: si light have sh<'<l 
From inany a radiant face, 
And prayers of tender hope have spi-ead 
A perfume through the place. 

From hunilile tenements arfxnid 

Came np the pensivt^ train. 
And in the church a blessing fouiul 

Which liUcd their homes again." 

The first religious services held before the building of this 
church, as nearly as we can ascertain, consisted of meetings held in 
a building in the "old field,'' presided over by a local exhorter, fam- 
iliarly called "Uncle Joby Conover. " A Sunday school was shortly 
afterward organized in the corner room of Cottage Retreat. The first 
sermon ever preached after the incorporation, was by the Rev. Edward 
H. Durell, at either the residence of Chalkley S. Leeds or at Cottage 
Retreat. Local meetings were held in the latter house, presided over 
sometimes by Mr. Durell. but more fiequently by Mr. Conover and 
Mr. Jonathan Scull. The Rev. Wm. B. Cullis succeeded Mr. Durell. 



History of Atlantic City. - 111 



who officiated for a time in a building in the " old field.'' In 1857, the 
edifice referred to, was reared upon a lot presented to the church, by 
Chalkley 8. Leeds, and has always had a regular pastor. While in the , 
course of construction, Mr. Wm. Conover fell from the building and 
was killed. Mr. Richard Souder was the architect of the building. 
Rev. Jno. H. Boswell is the present pastor. 

In 1R55, the Land Company contributed a lot at the corner of 
Pacific and Pennsylvania Avenues, to build a Presbyterian church ; 
upon. Mr. Evard began to put up the edifice in the same year, and 
by the dawning of 1850, it was consecrated to divine worship. Its ' 
spire is 

" A pencil on the sky 
Tracinff silently life's chiinsiefiil story.' 

In the summer of 1857, a number of gentlemen interested in the 
new resort, began to agitate the construction of a Protestant Episco- 
pal church for visitors. A sufficient sum of money was subscribed and 
a lot contributed by the Land Company. The church would have 
been builthadnotthe memorable revulsion of 1857 intervened, causing 
the bankruptcy of one of the largest of the contributors, and such 
losses to the rest that the undertaking was abandoned. In 1858, JS t- 
lantic was adopted as missionary ground by the bishop of the diocese, 
and a missionary was placed in charge of it from year to year through 
each summer. Services were held in the "Hair' of the Mansion 
House until the year 1866, when the Rt. Rev. the Bishop of New 
Jersey being then on a visit to Atlantic, a consultation was held at his 
invitation for the purpose of constructing an edifice. As a result, on 
the 9th of August, 1860, at a meeting held in the parlor of Edmund 
Claxton"s cottage, a committee of twelve was appointed to collect 
funds. The committee met with sufficient encouragement to warrant 
the purchase of a lot at the corner of Pacific and North Carolina Ave- 
nues, in 1867. The following year, on the first of August, the corner- 
stone of the present St. James Protestant Episcopal Church was laid, 
and a contract entered hito for the building of the"edifice, with Jos. A. 
Barstow. The building was completed and given in charge of tlie Ex- 
ecutive Committee, July 4, i860. The cost of church, lot, and ten 
years insurance policy, wa« $0,500, The church was consecrated by 
the Right Reverend W. H. Odenheimer, D.D., on the first Sunday in 
August, 1873. In February, 1874, the church was enlarged and im- 
proved at an expense of $6,000. The first sermon ever preached in the 
church was by Rev J. W. Robins, assisted by Rev. C. M. Depuy. 

St. Nicholas Roman Catholic church was built in 1856. The ma- 
terial from which it was constructed was originally contracted for by 
Father Meagher, for St. Dennis church, at Haverford, Delaware 
county, Pa., but was subsequently transferred to Atlantic. The cor- 



History of Atlantic City. li:i 

ner-stone of the edifice was laid in 1856, but the church was not com- 
pleted until 1857. Father Gallagher, now deceased, was first pas- 
tor of 8t. Nicholas. At the laying of the corner-stone, Very Reverend 
Father Moriarity officiated. At the dedication, Mr. Michael Lawlor, 
who built the Central House, and Mr. Thos. Daly were present. The 
first mass held on this island was at the hotel of Mr. Thos. Bedloe in 
the year 1854. The first congregation was really organized in a house 
built by Father Gallagher, for years known as Mt. Vernon Cottage, 
now owned by James Flaherty. Rev. Father Feldigan was appointed 
the first stated pastor in 1880, under whose administration the congre- 
gation has grown, and the building been very much enlarged and im- 
proved. A chapel was added to the parsonS^e, corner of Pacific and 
Tennessee avenues, in 1883. 

Union Mission, corner of Baltic and Michigan avenues, was built 
in 1870. Rev. L. D. Stultz, of Methodist Protestant faith, presiding. 

Centennial Church, on Ohio Avenue, between Atlantic and Arctic 
Avenues, was built in 187G. Rev. Mr. McLaughlin was the first 
pastor. 

Friends' Meeting House, corner Pacific and South Carolina Ave- 
nues, built in 1872. The first meetings of Friends were held in the 
school house on Pennsylvania Avenue, every Sabbath, for four sum- 
mers prior to the construction of the meeting house, under the direc- 
tion of the Haddonfield (Quarterly Meeting of Friends. Original 
trustees were Chas. T. Willits, Richard Wright, Ezra P. Gurney, Geo. 
M. Elkinton and Elisha Roberts. 

African Methodist Episcopal Church, organized in spring of 1878. 
First pastor was Rev. Geo. A. Jones, followed by Rev. Amos Brown, 
Rev. Wm. Taylor, Rev. Wm. M. Watson, Rev. J. T. Rex respec- 
tively. Trustees, Lewis H. Thomas, Benj. Shortis, John Bower, Geo. 
Tillman, Wm. Mott. Stewards, Geo. W. Harman, Isaac Roberts, 
Jas. Stokes, Fred^k Truit. 

At a meeting held in the Presbyterian Chapel, June 20, 1880, for 
the purpose of organizing a congregation of Baptists, the following 
resolution was passed: 

Resolved, That we whose names have been recommended for con- 
stituent membership, do hereby organize ourselves into a regidar Bap- 
tist Church, under the name of the "First Baptist Church of Atlantic 
City. " Signed Jacob H. Leedom, Harriet Leedom, Jane Black, Edward 
Ross, Emma Ross, Jacob L. Peterson, Maggie A. Peterson, Mary A. 
McCless, Adaline E. Lee, Maggie Shinnen, Rev. Thos. L. Bailey, 
Caroline A. Bailey, Susan L. Bailey, Alfred W. Bailey, Laura E. 
Bewley, Mary A. Borkek, Mary A. Simes, Esther A. Moore, Marga- 
retha Cammerer. After organizing, regular meetings were held in 
Mehler's Hall and the Presbyterian Chapel until July, 1882, when the 
new church edifice, erected on a lot on Pacific Avenue above North 



114 History of Atlantic City. 

Carolina Avenue, presented by Mrs. Isaac Ford, was used for public- 
worship. Eev. Sidney Dyer was chosen pastor by unanimous consent, 
October 31, 1881. 

St. Paul's ]\rethodist Episcopal Church, corner of Art-tic and Ohio 
Avenues, was built in 1882, but was not dedicated until Sunday Aug. 
3. 1884, Bishop Nicholson of the Reformed Episcopal Church, preached 
in the morning and the Rev. Dr. J. B. Graw, presiding elder of the 
Camden District, in the afternoon. 

The Church of the Ascension, Pacific Avenue Vjelow Michigan, 
was opened for divine service by Bishop Scarborough, Aug. 10th, 1870. 
From that time until June, 1880, the services were conducted by differ- 
ent clergymen, acting as temporary supply. In June, 1880, the Rev. 
J. Rice Taylor became minister in charge of the parish, which position 
he occupied until June, 1881. 

From that time until February, 1882, the services again were 
conducted by diiferent clergymen from Sunday to Sunday. In Feb- 
ruary, 1882, Rev. Wm. H. Avery became rector of the parish, in 
which position he has continued until the present date. August, 1884. 

Since the first opening of the church services always have been 
kept up regularly, summer and winter. It became an incorporated 
parish in January, 1881. 



The U. S. Signal Station. 

This station was opened December 10th, 1873, in one of the first 
Government LiCe-Saving houses, about one hundred yards from the 
lighthouse. It has since bfeen removed to a cottage on Rhode Island 
avenue, near the light-house. The official number of the station is 
116. Latitude 38 22' ; longitude 74^ 25' ; elevation of barometer 
above the level of the sea, 33 feet. The instrument shelter is of the 
standard portable pattern, and is placed on the north end of the build- 
ing. The anemometer, wind vane, and rain guageare on the building 
and well exposed. The station is supplied with a complete outfit for 
using international signals. The instruments in station are one 
standard barometer, one standard thermometer, one standard mini- 
mum thermometer, one standard maximum thermometer, one hygro- 
meter, one standard anemometer, one small wind vane, one standard 
rain guage. The first observer was Wm. Slater. The present ol)ser- 
ver is D. A. Blandon. 



The Schools. 

One of the most gratifying evidences of the iutellect\uil progress 
of this sea-girt shore is the increasing interest that from the first has 
been manifest in i)roviding educational facilities. Tiiis desire for the 



History of Atlantic City. 



115 



mental improvement of the yonng has led to the construction of four 
school buildings, and the employment of twenty-four teachers. So 
many advances and discoveries have been made in the last quarter of a 
century ; so many of the old ideas and traditions have been exploded 
and shown to be mere myths and legends, that the men who estab- 
lished our first schools would find themselves unable to discourse intel- 
ligently with the youth of to-day unless they had kept up with the 
times. 

As early as 1836, Richard Risley, from the mainland, came to the 
island, at the request of the Leeds families, and opened a school in the 




OCEAX IIorsE 



old Atlantic House. There were less than ten schoolable children 
then. Risley was followed by Mortimer Goodrich, who taught in a 
building owned by Ryan Adams, on Arctic avenue, near Delaware. 
John Weaver succeeded Mortimer, continuing in the Adams building. 
After the dedication of the new city, Thomas C. Garrett taught a 
school in Congress Hall. Arthur Westcott was also engaged, and 
opened a school in a building erected for the purpose by Richard Hack- 
ett, located on South Carolina avenue, west of Arctic. This was in 
1856. About thirty scholars were enrolled, among whom were : Jos. 
T, Note, Jos. Bedloe, Andrew Leeds, Charles Leeds, Elizabeth Leeds, 
Margaret Leeds, Win. Henry Conover, Daniel Adams, Abel Adams, 



113 History of Atlantic C-ity. 

Henry Higbee, Andrew Higbee, Sylvester Leeds, Armenia Leeds, 
Lydia Leeds, Martin Doyle, Elizabeth, George and Edward Westcott, 
Matilda Hackett. Josephine Hackett, Luke Showell, Chas. Horner, 
Enos U. Williams, Edward White. About this time Edward S. Reed 
and wife began a school in a building in the "old field," where they 
remained until the following Winter, when the school was transferred 
to the M. E. Church. Among the pupils were William Garrett, Wil- 
son Garrett, Edward Bedloe, Jos. Bedloe, Pitman Carter, Susan 
Xixon, Annie Eldridge, Emma Eldridge, Grace Smick, Maria Leeds, 
Amanda Leeds, Jos. T. Xote, and others, to the number of thirty or 
forty. Mr. Keed afterwards became superintendent of public schools, 
which position he held for several years, discharging the duties with dis- 
tinguished efficiency. Owing to an increase of business which required 
his entire attention, he declined a re-election, to the popular regret. 
Mrs. Thomas took up the ferule when Mr. Reed laid it down, remain- 
ing until the opening of the first public school, in the old Ocean House, 
over which Mr. Yarney presided for two or three years.. The scholar- 
ship at this time had increased to the number of fifty. In 18Gi), the 
school trustees built a small one-story school-house, on the site of the 
present school building on Pennsylvania avenue, employing George 
Keats and Wm. Guest to do the work. In 1864, or thereabouts, aeon- 
tract for the construction of the building now situated on Pennsylvania 
avenue was awarded to William Souder. The city had no money, and 
Mr. Souder could not proceed with the work. Mr. Robert T. Evard 
relieved Mr. Souder of the contract, at a considerable pecuniary sacri- 
fice, in order that the city should not suffer for school facilities that 
were actually necessary. A solicitude for the education of the child- 
ren of the community, and a desire to give the city high rank in edu- 
cational advantages lias always characterized Mr. Evard. Mr. Alex. 
Bellows, a graduate of the State Xormal School, succeeded Mr. Yar- 
ney, and introduced an improved and entirely new system of teaching. 
Mr. Bellows remained for two or three years, and was assisted during 
that period by Mrs. Sallie Bellows, Miss Fannie Smith, Miss Debora Cor- 
dery, and Miss Lena Scull. Succeeding Mr. Bellows, came in the 
order in which they are mentioned, Mr. Abrams, Mr. Leonard, Mr. 
Guerney, Mr. S. R. Morse, Mr. Charles G. Kingman, Mr. A. R. Dick- 
inson. Mr. O. Evans, Mr. John F. Hall, Mr. C. R. Morse. Mr. S. R. 
Morse succeeded Mr. Reed as school superintendent, and spent several 
years of hard and effective service in improving the schools and estab- 
lishing a higher grade of education. The Indiana avenue school-house, 
containing six departments, was erected in IST'.t ; the New Jersey ave- 
nue school building has four departments, and was erected in 1S83 ; 
the Texas avenue school building was constructed in 188;i, and con- 
tains four departments. During the erection of these houses, the num- 
ber of schoolable children umltiplied so rapidly that it became neces- 



History of Atlantic City. 117 

sary to open schools temporarily in the Clifton House, Havelow House, 
Glendale Cottage, and the City Hall engine-house. An excellent pri- 
vate school held in the M. E. Church in the "Winter of 1861, and the 
following Winter in the Chester County House, should have been men- 
tioned before. Miss Price, teacher. 

In September, 1881, liev. James G. Shinn, A. M., opened a 
boarding and day school at No. 3 Pennsylvania avenue. The school 
has become a permanent institution. 

In November, 1881, Miss Riddell opened an elementary school 
and kindergarten, at the corner of Atlantic and Pennsylvania avenues, 
The school has met with marked success. 

The Academy of the Sacred Heart was opened in a cottage on 
Connecticut avenue, in May, 1883. In November of the same year, 
it was removed to a large cottage in Park place, where the school is 
now being conducted. It is spoken of as a splendid institution for 
learning. 

No more cogent reason is required to show the salubrity of the 
climate, and the desirability of Atlantic City as an abiding place for 
all who esteem health a blessing, than the number of children born 
within the island's sandy rim. When the school bell calls them from 
home they swarm along the streets as numerous as fiddlers on the 
boggy margin of a salt pond. With a permanent population of about 
seven thousand, there are sixteen hundred and twenty-two schoolable 
children, according to the census just compiled by Mr. Geo. Perkins. 
Twenty-four teachers will be employed by the public schools during 
approaching term. 



Mrs. Eliza P. Guerney. 

This would be an ungrateful history were not some fitting 
acknowledgment made of the benevolence and Christian spirit of this 
estimable woman. From the time she began to make this her summer 
home, in the year 18<)0, until her death about six years since, she was 
chiefly occupied in deeds of charity. Probably there is not a church 
in the city that has not received generous contributions from her. 
Strengthening and helping to organize Sabbath schools was her especial 
pleasure, and many poor children have been made comfortable and 
happy by her. She was an influential member of the Society of Friends, 
and often spoke ably and eloquently at their meetings. She was the 
widow of Joseph Guerney, and, like him, had much literary taste and 
talent. She enjoyed a personal acquaintance with many of the distin- 
guished people in the land, and was a staunch friend of President Lin- 
coln. Before her decease she gave to her friend. Dr. Thomas K. Reed, 
a letter received by her in this citv from Mr. Lincoln, a copy of which 
we herewith submit : 



IIH 



History of Atlantic Citv. 




BEACH BOARD AVALK AND TIER. 



Executive Mansion, 
Washington, Sept. 4, 1864. 
Eliza P. Gurney : 

My esteemed friend, I have not forgotten, probably never shall 
forget, the very impressive occasion when yourself and friends visited 
me on a Sabbath forenoon, two years ago. Xor has your kind letter, 
written nearly a year later, ever been forgotten. In all, it has been 
your'purpose to strengthen my reliance on God. I am much indebted 
to the good Christian people of the country, for their constant prayers 
and consolations : and to no one of them, more than to yourself. The 
purposes of the Almighty are perfect and must prevail, though we 
erring mortals may fail to accurately perceive them in advance. We 



HiSTOKV OF Atlantic City. 119 



hoped for a happy termination of this terrible war long before this ; 
but God knows best, and has ruled otherwise. We shall yet 
acknowledge His wisdom and our own error therein. Meanwhile 
we must work earnestly in the best light He gives us, trusting that so 
working still conduces to the great ends He ordains. Surely He in- 
tends some great good to follow this mighty convulsion, which no 
mortal could make, and no mortal could stay. 

Your people — the Friends— have had, and are having, a very great 
trial. 

On principle and faith, opposed to both war and oppression, they 
can only practically oppose oppression by war. In this hard dilemma, 
some have chosen one horn and some the other. For those appealing 
to me on conscientious grounds, I have done, and shall do the best I 
could and can, in my own conscience, under my oath to the law. 

That you believe this I doubt not, and believing it, I shall still 
receive, for our country and myself, your earnest prayers to our 
Father in Heaven. 

Your sincere friend, 

A. Lincoln. 



The Life-Savers. 

It is a remarkable fact in favor of Atlantic City, that there has 
been but one drowning case on the beach this season (1884), and there 
was only one last year. Twenty years ago no provision was made 
against drowning in the surf, and as a consequence, eight and ten 
persons were generally drowned in the course of the season. In the 
year 18G5, when little Mamie Lawlor was drowned, thirteen met alike 
fate, two Catholic clergymen being among the number. In 1868, life- 
lines were put out by a fevv^ of the hotel proprietors and bath house 
keepers, but venturesome people went beyond them, and many cases of 
drowning occurred. In 1872, Captain Paul Boynton organized the 
first life-guard on the beach. He was stationed on the beach in front 
of the Seaview Excursion House, and received support from the Cam- 
den and Atlantic Railroad Company and appreciative visitors. He 
was a skilful guard as regards all the requirements of the position, and 
during his several season's service here, he rescued many bathers from 
watery graves. Each new season added more guards on the beach, and 
finally the City Council employed them, and embraced the guarding 
of the beach among the duties of the police department. 

Now there are at least twenty-five of these special officers. All of 
them are sworn into police service by the Mayor, but some of them do 
not receive salary from the city and are dependent upon subscriptions 
from the bath house keepers, and donations from summer visitors. 



120 History of Atlantic City. 

From the time when the crowd begins to assemble in the surf until 
the last bather is out, these watchers patrol the beach, or at sea in 
their boats, pulling backward and forth just beyond the line of bathers, 
and the slightest sign of danger will start them to the rescue. Their 
vocation is a peculiar one, bringing them face to face with danger and 
death many times in a season ; for, be it understood, the task of saving 
a drowning person is one that is not to be rashly ventured upon. 



The City Hall. 

Before the construction of the City Hall, in 1875, Council held its 
meetings at various places about the city. The Mayor, Clerk, and 
Aldermen held forth either at their dwelling houses or places of busi- 
ness. Until the building of Bartlett Hall, public entertainments 
were held in the churches, Mansion Hall or the dining rooms of the 
larger boarding houses. In 1874, a number of citizens petitioned 
Council earnestly praying it to build a City Hall. This action led to 
an agitation of the matter through the columns of the local newspaper. 
Council at this time was holding sessions in " Suber's Bank."" now 
occupied by Gardner & Shinn, a place too contracted for the purpose. 
Council was dilatory in acting upon the matter which led to criticsm 
in the public press. A public meeting was called and the (luestion 
voted upon in Bartlett's Hall, resulting in a good majority for the 
building of the hall. This was in May, 1874. Council there- 
u\Mm advertised for proposals for the work. Joel R. Leeds was the 
lowest bidder, to whom the contract was awarded. On the eighth day 
of November, 1875, the Building Committee of Council reported the 
hall finished and a final settlement with Mr. Leeds. The report was 
accepted, the committed discharged and the Mayor requested to take 
charge of the new hall. Council held its first meeting in the hall on 
the evening of November 28, 1875, The Council of 1855, impressed 
with the popular belief prevailing at that time that the city would 
gravitate towards the inlet, selected a lot of ground at the corner of 
Atlantic and Vermont Avenues as a suitable place for the erection of 
public buildings. 



The Camden & Atlantic Depot. 

Up to the year 1875, the Camden & Atlantic Railroad Company 
used for depot purposes, a long, rambling building on the triangular 
strip of land in front of Schaufier's Hotel. The building ran the length 
of the S(iuare from North Carolina avenue to South Carolina avenue. 
It might have been an imposing structure when it sheltered the first 
engine from Camden to the sea, and for the first decade, ni) doubt, 




provided adequate ac- 
commodations for the 
passenger and freight 
traffic of the road, but as 
the place grew and be- 
came populous, just in 
proportion did the old 
caravansary prove inade- 
quate. So long as the 
Company distributed the 
passengers along Atlan- 
tic avenue, and gath- 
ered them in at several 
points before the depart- 
ure of each train, the 
public endured the old 
depot, but when about 
the year 1808 the prac- 
tice of running the 
trains through the city 
for the purpose of taking 
aboard passengers and 
baggage was dispensed 
with, the public demand 
for better depot facili- 
ties became loud and 
earnest. The Company 
paid little or no heed to 
this popular appeal, 
however, until a public 
meeting was called in 
1875, at which a petition 
signed by the Company's 
best patrons was pre- 
pared and circulated for 
signatures. In the course 
of ten days, this petition, 
signed by several hun- 
dred visitors and resi- 
dents, was presented to 
the Board of Directors. 
At this meeting the 
matter was given ser- 
ious consideration, and a 
special committee ap- 
pointed to report plans 
and specifications. In 
the winter of 187G, tln^ 



122 History of Atlantic City. 



Company purchased of Geo. Hayday the site of the present depot. 
The old depot was moved up near Vermont avenue, and converted in- 
to a stable, and the freight office use! as a temporary depot during the 
construction of the new building, which was completed and formally 
opened about the 1st of July, 1870. 



The Fire Department. 

Atlantic City was without an organized lire company until 1874, 
twenty years after the city had been incorporated. Buckets and shov- 
els were the only weapons, backed with strong hearts and willing 
hands to fight the fire fiend. Improvements were increasing rapidly 
all over the city, thus compelling a better system for extinguishing 
fires. Council acted promptly and ISTovember 2, 1874, appointed 
Messrs. George F. Currie, Joseph A. Barstow, and H. H. Y. AVicks, 
a committee to purchase an engine and hose. The committee in ad- 
dition to purchasing an engine and hose also ordered a hook and lad- 
der truck, which was approved by subsequent action of Council, The 
Council also appointed a committee to procure a lot to build an en- 
gine house on. The committee, Messrs. Lewis Kepp, Thomas E. 
French, Eli M. Johnson, James S. Shinn, and Alderman Reiley, 
recommended a lot in the rear of the City Hall. The contract for 
building the house Avas awarded to Mr. Joel R. Leeds for $3,700, 
which was the lowest bid, and was completed October lo, 187"). The 
City Council on November 24, 1874, appointed a committee of citizens 
to take charge of the fire apparatus. The committee so appointed 
were Messrs. George ^Y. Martin, R. A. Field, Andrew Snee, Samuel 
Trilly, AVilliam Baker, Thomas Trenwith, George Keates, Byron P. 
Wilkins, William S. Cogill, William Somers, Hosea Blood, Henry 
Mickensey and Daniel K. Donnely. On December 3, 1874, a meeting 
of citizens favorable to the organizing of a fire company was held at 
the West End Hotel, occupied at that time by the present Chief En- 
gineer, Archy Field. ' Mr. George W. Martin was elected president, 
and T. C. Rose, secretary. At that meeting a number of new names 
were enrolled for membership, Archy Field proposed naming the 
company "United States Fire Company No. 1," which was adopted. 
Since the date of organization the comi)any has added to their effec- 
tiveness as a fire company by the purchase of two steam fire engines, 
an Amoskeag and a Clapp & Jones, two hose carriages, 2,000 feet of 
good, serviceable hose, three horses, a handsomely fitted-up house and 
everything that appertains to a first-class fire company. 

In response to a call in the local newspapers, a number of the 
prominent citizens of the Second Ward met June 17th, 1882, and 
effected the organization of a fire company, by electing James S. Endi- 



History of Atlantic City. 123 

cott, President ; James Brady, Vice-President ; Charles A . Cox, Secre- 
tary ; William H. Aiken, Assistant Secretary ; Charles J. Dougherty, 
Sr., Treasurer; George Clunin, Foreman; William Kendall, Fire 
Marshal. After the organization was effected the name of the com- 
pany, " Atlantic City Fire Company No. 2," was adopted. The com- 
pany was incorporated June ."{Oth, with the following gentlemen as 
incorporators : James Brady, T. A. Byrnes, R. E. Winslow, William 
H. Aiken, Thomas McGuire, William Kendall, A. Reppetto, Benj. 
Quicksel, H. C. Postoll, Isaac Hewitt, James S. Endicott, John G. 
Schaffer, George Cluin, W. C. Chambers, P. L. Hughes, B. H. 
Johnson, George W. Reed, Isaac F. Shaner, Charles A. Cox. 

Committees were appointed to procure apparatus and hose. The 
committees reported having secured a carriage and 900 feet of hose 
from the United States Fire Company No. 1. Mr. George Hayday, 
Sr., was appointed collector. Mr. Hayday reported having collected 
seven hundred dollars. The trustees were authorized to purchase a 
lot to build an engine house on. The lot was purchased from the 
Camden and Atlantic Land Company, situated on Missouri avenue 
north of Atlantic avenue. A building committee was appointed and 
the foundation for the same was laid February 4th, 1883. The build- 
ing is 24 X 60 feet, two stories high, well and substantially built, and 
was completed and dedicated with a grand parade of the department 
and banquet on June 17th, the first anniversary of the organization of 
the company. Its present officers are : Charles J. Dougherty, Sr., 
President ; Fred. Scheiber, Vice-President ; H. H. Postoll, Secretary ; 
James Brady, Treasurer ; George Cluin, Foreman ; B. L. Stevens, 
Fire Marshal. 

The Xeptune Hose Company was organized and incorporated Oct. 
G, 1882. The original incorporators Avere : George W. Hinkle, Thos. 
McGuire, Lewis Repp, Franklin P. Cook, Joseph Canby, Thomas J. 
Horner, Mahlon R. Kirkbride, Lewis Evans, Henry Rutter, Jr., 
Archibald Reid, Albert W. Irving, Morris Powdermaker, William F. 
Rutter, Elwood Smith, Walter Kirk, Jos. P. Canby, Edward S. Souder, 
Oliver H. Guttidge, Peter Rutter, A. F, W. Lehman, Henry Williams, 
Samuel D. Hoffman, James S. Beckwith, Timothy A. Byrnes, Henry 
M. Snyder, John R. Adams, Charles H. Craige. The following were 
elected to active membership subsequently : Samuel Kirby, Silas S. 
Seely, Joseph Clement, Joseph F. Mason, John Harrold, Peter F. 
Hagan, Edward S. Lee, Thomas Driscall, Samuel Driscall. Frank 
Barber, Job G. Monroe, Henry R. Albertson, Charles L. Rutter, Jere- 
miah Leeds, Wesley B. Miller, Henry Kuehnle, John P. Garton, Ed- 
ward Kline, Henry S. Brown, Edward Wilson, Joseph Mcllvaine, 
Jacob Natter, Henry Park, Warren A. Upham, Henry F. Monroe, 
Charles H. Messick, Robert P. King, Theodore Graves, Samuel H. Mc- 
Donald, Henry N. Bolte, David Nassano, Charles E. Schroeder, Cle- 



124 



History of Atlantic City. 



ment J. Adams, William Marshall, James Kiley. The following are 
officers of the company : Lewis Evans, President ; Lewis Kepp, Vice- 
President ; Albert W. Irving, Secretary ; Henry Kuehnle, Assistant 
Secretary ; Morris Powdermaker. Treasurer ; Timothy A. Byrnes, 
Foreman ; William F, Riitter, Fire Marshal ; Silas S. Seely, Warren 
A. Upham, John Ilarrold, Trustees ; Edward S. Souder, Henry Wil- 
liams, Theodore Graves, Joseph Clement, Edward Kline. Board of 
Directors. Peter F. Hagau, Assistant Engineer of the Fire Depart- 
ment, 

The Company has a 
large life membership, 
and contributing mem- 
bership. The equipment 
of this Company is, red 
shirt with black, old 
English " N" on breast, 
black helmet hat, with 
white front, red figure 
"1" on a blue ground, 
and white letters of 
Company and owner's 
name, on blue ground. 
Black belt, white trim- 
ming, red scrolls, white 
letters "Xeptune" on 
blue ground, red figure 
"1" on blue ground. 
The apparatus of this 
Company consists of a 
four-wheel hose carriage 
with elliptic springs, a 
hose cylinder of 8U0 feet 
capacity, gold plated 
lamps on centre arch over cylinder, and side lamps to match, 2 silver 
lanterns with cut-glass globes, and two brass torches.. In front a 
nickel-plated arch with motto, " Prompt to Action," in relief letters. 
Gilt figure " 1 " on front bar, and oval side plates with '* Neptune,' L" 
engraved in script. This carriage was formerly the property of the Shif- 
Her Hose Company of Philadelphia, and was presented by them to the 
Shinier Hose Company of Lancaster, Pa., from wiiom the Neptune 
purchased it. The Company has '■M'yO feet of Eureka patent hose, with 
necessary couplings, branch pipes, etc. A hand chemical machine 
(made by Holloway), is also a part of the apparatus ot the Company. 
The Company's building stands on the north side of Atlantic Avenue, 
east of Connecticut Avenue. It is a two-story frame structure, 20x50. 




SENATOR JNO. J. GARDNER. 



History of Atlantic City. 125 

The lower floor is for the storage of the apparatus, and is finished in 
hard woods. A heater in this room supplies heat for the whole build- 
ing. The upper floor is divided into a parlor, nicely furnished, and a 
spacious assembly room. The building is surmounted by a cupola, 
which contains a fine fire-bell. A flagstaff on the pavement. 60 feet 
high, floats a handsome 20-feet national ensign. The house has run- 
ning water, with marble-top stationary wash-stand, gas throughout, 
and telephonic connection. There is a "museum" connected with 
the Company, containing a large case full of relics of various kinds. 
The value of the Company's property is $4,500. 



Caught in an Ice Tide. 

The ice tide of 1867, is memorable to many of our citizens. The 
railroad track across the meadows was partially swept away, and 
considerable damage was done at the inlet. The trains were unable 
to cross the meadows for several days. Passengers bound for Atlantic 
City could come no further than Absecon, and visitors wJio desired to 
leave the city found themselves almost as completely exiled as Napo- 
leon on St. Helena. The storm occurred in December, just at the 
time when several of our citizens were attending the County (Jourt at 
May's Landing, among others Lewis Evans, Henry Wootten, Wm. 
Fleming, George Bryant, and Joseph Moore. They left May's Land- 
ing together, and started homeward on an afternoon train. They 
could proceed no further than Absecon (on account of damage to the 
tracks), where they remained all night. On the following morning they 
set out to walk across the meadows, notwithstanding a snow storm 
was prevailing. Before they had traveled two miles they were in the 
tide knee deep, which induced Bryant and Moore to return to Abse- 
con. The others were more venturesome, and pursued the journey. 
When they had reached "Adams' Ditch," they were caught, waist 
deep, in a floating sea of ice. The weather was bitter cold ; the cur- 
rent of the tide was stronor, and it became impossible to push their 
way through the floating ice. They could go neither forward nor 
backward without incurring great danger. There happened to be a 
small open row boat in the ditch, which they took possession of. Out 
in the bay they saw a small sloop at anchor. They started for the 
sloop, but when the bay was reached it was so frozen that they were 
obliged to disembark and walk on the ice to the boat. Nobody was 
on board. The cabin was broken into, a fire was built, and the haz- 
ardous party saved from perishing. They remained there until the 
following day, when the storm subsided and they reached home, most 
of them suffering from frozen limbs, ears, noses and fingers. 



'2() History of Atlantic City. 

Dr. William AVetherell. 

This gentlemen became impressed Avith the advantages with which 
Xature had endowed Atlantic City as a healtli resort, about the j-ear 
18G5. He found the climate so healthful that he spent most of the 
year there, and m 18(57 began to take a practical interest in the city. 
In 1868, he purchased the handsome cottage built by Mr. Jacob Freas, 
who by the way was one of the first and most earnest friends of the 
city. The year following, he purchased and improved considerable 
real estate in the lower part of the city. He encouraged the struggling 
meadow turnpike company, and built the Island House at the Atlantic 
City terminus. It was he who introduced the first hot and cold sea 
water baths in the place. He gave employment to many men whom 
he kept busy in grading swamps and beautifying waste places. He 
was a progressive, public-spirited man, and had the facility of impart- 
ing a spirit of enterprise to those with whom he came in contact. 
Unfortunately for Atlantic City his death occurred in 1872, just at a 
period when he had projected vast improvements. 



Atlantic City Gas and Water Company. 

The Atlantic City Gas and Water Company was incorporated by 
an act of the Legislature of the State of New .Jersey, on the 17th of 
February A. D. 1873. Mr. .John Hagan, who had the matter in charge, 
met with very little encouragement at first, but at last by indomita- 
ble will and industry succeeded in obtaining the small holder which 
was on the grounds of the Centennial exhibition at Philadelpliia, and 
had it removed to Atlantic City. A tank was constructed, holder put 
up, a small retort house erected and on the loth of June, 1878, the gas 
was furnished to consumers. Tlie same holder is now in use at the 
yard of the company. In the spring of 1880, the Company was placed 
in tlie hands of William C. Dayton, Esq., of Camden, as lleceiver, by 
the Chancellor. The works, franchises, &c., were, l)y the Receiver, 
sold at public sale on the 15th of October, A. D. 1880. 

Tlie purchasers reorganized on February 2.")th, A. D. 1881, luider 
the Act of tlie Legislature of the State of New Jersey of the 17th of 
February, A. D. 1S81, and elected Hamilton Disston, .John Roberts, 
AVilliam L. Elkins, P. A. B. Widener and William Bumm, a Board of 
Directors. Hamilton Disston was elected president, and Peter A. B. 
Widener, secretary and treasurer. 

In the spring of ISSI, more ground was purchased, a new holder 
was erected, the works enlarged and the water process of manufactur- 
ing gas introduced. 



History of Atlantic City. 



127 



In the summer of 1882, the Company established their electric 
plant, and on July 22, of that year, sixty electric lamps were lighted. 

In the early part of 1884, the company constructed another large 
tank and holder. Edward S. Lee, of Atlantic City, birlt the 
tank, and the holder was the work of Deily & Fowler, of Philadelphia. 

A large amount of the stock of the company is held by the citi- 
zens of Atlantic City, and the Executive Committee of the Board is 
composed entirely of permanent residents, and consists of Dr. Thomas 
K. Reed, chairman ; Jos. A. Barstow, and Jos. H. Borton. 




HADDON HOUSE— EDWIX LIPPINCOTT, PHOl'UIETOK. 



The consumption of gas has doubled since the year 1882. It is 
now a growing and successful enterprise. The present officers of the 
company are John Roberts, President ; Charles Evans, Treasurer, and 
Dr. Thomas K. Reed, Secretary. The Board of Directors at the present 
time consists of William L. Elkins, Hamilton Disston, John Roberts, 
Peter A. B. Widener, William Bnmm, Charles Evans, Dr. Thomas 
K. Reed, Jos. H. Borton, and Jos, A. Barstow, who were elected at 
the annual meeting of the stockholders in May, 1S84. 

In 1875, with a view to introducing a water supply, Mr. Hagan 
began sinking an artesian well on the property of the Company, near 
the corner of Atlantic and Michigan avenue. Melvin and McMorris, 
of Philadelphia, were awarded the contract, one of the provisions 



128 History of Atlantic City. 

being that the boring was to be contimied until pure water was pro- 
cured. When the well had been sunk about one hundred feet the con- 
tractors were obliged to suspand on account of financial troubles. In- 
teresting stratas of soil were penetrated. First, a strata of fine beach 
sand, then a strata of heavy coarse sand, followed by a layer of gravel. 
Many odd and handsome stones were brought to the surface, some of 
which were converted into settings for rings. Mr. Hagan deferred 
the introduction of water, and the company succeeding him never pro- 
secuted this design of the original incorporators of the company, who 
■were — Ino. Hagan, J. J. Gardner, Thomas Bedloe, Edward Wilson, 
Alois Schaufler, Levi C. Albertson. To Mr. Hagan belongs the honor 
of founding the gas works of Atlantic city, and to him the people of 
the city are indebted for the early introduction of gas. 



Opeking of the Maxsiox. 

We iiave before us a neatly printed circular, printed in June, 
1855, announcing that "the Misses Lee, of Philadelphia, would open 
tlie Mansion House for the reception of guests, on the seventh day of 
June, 1855." The further announcement is made that the hotel 
would be under the control of Mr. F. W. Baker, " who will also, dur- 
ing meals, give his personal attention to the dining-room." The cir- 
cular closes by stating that " the Mansion House is the first hotel on 
right hand side of the depot." Among those present on this occasion 
were— Jno. Osborne, Robert Frazer, Isaac Floyd, Wm. Milligan, 
Wm. Coflin, Andrew K. Hay, Jos. Porter, Wm. Porter, Dr. Pitney, 
E. A. Doughty, Ezra Cordery, Ilichard Wright, Louis Grosholz, 
Thomas Miles, J. Price, James Brown, Jos. A. Barstow, Richard 
Hackett, Albert C. English, John Hamman, Daniel Morris, Thomas 
C. Garrett, and many others. Of the four sisters who then owned the 
house, only Julia remains. They were benevolent ladies, held in high 
esteem l)y all who knew them, and under their management the Man- 
sion became very successful in the early period of the city's history. 
The prospectus above referred to says : " The house being large and 
airy, and the interior arrangements such as cannot be surpassed, they 
hope to merit and receive a full share of public patronage." This, no 
doubt, was true at that time, for then the Mansion was the third 
house in size on the island : but, comparing the old Mansion with the 
new and handsome Mansion of to-day. we have a splendid illustration 
of the general improvement and progress of the city. Under the pro- 
prietorship of Mr. Cliarles McGlade, the new Mansion has left the old 
hostelrie so far in the rear that it is scarcely distinguishable. It has 
been so much enlarged, and so thoroughly remodeled, that there is 



History of Atlantic City. 129 



hardly a trace of resemblance to its old namesake. Mr. McGlade has 
imparted the spirit of push and progress to tlie premises, till there 
is no finer house on the coast than the Mansion. 



Mr. Henry Disston. 

About the year ls70, Mr. Henry Disston recognized the merits of 
this place as a summer resort, and foresaw for it a bright future. He 
at once demonstrated his faith in the place by becoming substantially 
interested in it. He invested largely in real estate in what has since 
become familiarly known as Keystone Ward, a tract of land running 
from Atlantic avenue to the meadows, between Illinois and Indiana 
avenues, comprising two squares of land. At this time cottages and 
boarding houses were springing up all over the city at the rate of a 
hundred per year. There was no mill or lumber yard in the city, and 
in consequence builders suffered great inconvenience. To supply this 
long felt want, Mr. Disston, in 1872, had constructed on Illinois ave- 
nue a large mill, equal in its kind probably to any in the State. In con- 
nection with it he estabMshed a first-class lumber, coal, lime and ce- 
ment yard, and with Mr. Richard Turner as Superintendent, the busi- 
ness of Henry Disston & Sons was fairly opened in this city that year, 
to the great satisfaction of the population. The business necessitated 
the employment of a large number of mechanics and laborers, and in 
this feature alone it became of much benefit to the city. But the real 
advantage of the new enterprise to the place was in the convenience to 
builders, two-thirds or more of whose trade the firm at once secured. 
The business met with success and ran along smoothly until the year 
1875, when it was totally destroyed by fire. A mill was rebuilt, but 
not on so extensive a scale, and is now running prosperously. When 
the firm of Disston & Sons came in possession of the real estate 
scarcely any of it was improved. The ruins of the old Downing 
House, and a few shanties, were the only buildings which marked the 
ground. The shanties were removed, the Downing or Woodland House 
was converted into an attractive modern boarding house, wliich is now 
known as the Illinois House. A row of neat cottages has since been 
built on Arctic avenue, and as many more on Illinois avenue. Over on 
the margin of the meadows several substantial dwellings have been 
constructed ; on Atlantic avenue several stores, three stories high, have 
been built. The large cottage at the corner of Pacific and Indiana ave- 
nues, one of the finest on Pacific, was the property of Mr. Henry Diss- 
ton, while all over the town the firm holds interests. Disston Villa, 
on Park Place, the property of Mrs. Disston, is the handsomest private 
residence on the island. The character of these improvements is 
such as to add to the reputation of the town, and has increased the 
value of real estate in the immediate vicinitv. 



130 



HisTOKY OF Atlantic City. 



The present firm consisting of Hamilton, Horace, William and 
Jacob, still retain their interest in Atlantic, and like their illustrions 
sire, are public spirited and generous. 




Mr. Disston always contril)uted generously to any public improve- 
ment, and was held in liigh esteem liere. Wlien, on tlie Kith of ]\rarch. 



History of Atlantic City. 



13 



1878, it became known that he had departed this life, the testimonial 
of popular grief was impressive and touching. He has an abiding 
place in the affections of all who knew him, and after this generation 
shall have mouldered into the common dust of those who have pre- 
ceded it, the memory of Henry Disston will live, and serve as a splen- 
did example for the poor and industrious young men of this country. 

Amid the conquering armies of the skies 
Give him high place forever ; let him walk 
O'er meads of better asphodel : and be 
Where dwell the noble-hearted and the wise. 




132 History of Atlantic City. 



CHAPTER III. 



The Philadelphia and Atlantic City Railway. 

The Philadelphia and Atlantic City Railway was projected in 
1876, by Mr. Samuel Richards, Mr. William Massey, and Mr. Charles 
R. Colwell. Mr. Richards, no doubt, was first to propose the building 
of the road, and was promptly encouraged and supported by Mr. Mas- 
sey. A short time previous, Mr. Massey had been elected to the Presi- 
dency of the Camden and Atlantic Railroad, Messrs. Richards and 
Colwell holding membership in the Board of Direction. Mr. Massey 
appointed Mr. Richards General Business Manager, and to him com- 
mitted the practical management of the entire line. A difference of 
opinion in the Board of Directors ultimately resulted in the retirement 
of these gentlemen, who at once projected a rival road to the sea. Mr. 
Richards had been one of the most iniustrious and infiuential men in 
the construction of the Camden and Atlantic and saw, he said, much 
more encouragement for the operation of a second line than he did for 
the first. He demonstrated to the satisfaction of Mr. Massey, ISIr. 
Colwell and other capitalists, the fact that a rival line of the narrow 
guage standard could be built and equipped for less than half of the 
cost and indebtedness of the old road. A company was organized 
under the general railroad law enacted by the State Legislature, in 
1K7.'). The officers and Board of Directors were : President, Samuel 
Richards; Sircretary, A. B. Linderman ; Treasurer, John "Welch. 
Board of Directors : Samuel Ricliaids, AVin. Massey, John E. 
Colwell, James M. Hall, W. Dwight Bell, J. Lapsley Wilson, Samuel 
Shaw, .John J. Crardner, Levi C. Albertson, Thos. C. Garrett, M. 
R. Morse, J. G. Campbell, Jno. J. Sickler. 

The original intention was to c )nstruct a railroad of three feet 
guage, but it was afterwards determined to adopt a guage of three feet 
and six inches. The first work was done in Atlantic City by John L. 
]iiyant, whobuilL a wharf on the west side of the thoroughfare, about 



History of Atlantic City. 



1M3 



fifty yards below the Camden and Atlantic drawbridge. When this 
wharf had been completed an engine, string pieces and ties were sent 
from Philadelphia, via steamboat, and discharged on the meadows. 
Ground was first broken in March, 1877, and active operations be- 
gun at each end of the route, on April first. From that time the work 
was prosecuted vigorously night and day, under the personal super- 
vision of Mr, Richards. Bessemer steel rails, weighing forty pounds 
to the yard, were used. Across the meadows the track was laid on 
timber under the cross ties. 

The company had to 
contend with the trials 
and difiiculties invari- 
ably experienced in the 
prosecution of enter- 
prises of this kind, and 
frequently were obliged 
to wait upon the action 
of commissioners ap- 
pointed to condemn land 
on the route, and to 
fight injunctions re- 
straining them from 
crossing certain proper- 
ty. As an illustracion, 
we cite the Doughty in- 
junction, issued during 
the winter of '77, re- 
straining the company 
from crossing certain 
meadow land, near 
Atlantic City, belonging 
to E. A. Doughty. This 
was a serious drawback, 
and promised to stay farther progress indefinitely. Secretary Linder- 
man very adroitly rescued the company from this dilemma. Arriving 
in Atlantic City on ah evening train, via the Camden and Atlantic, he 
despatched a trusted employee of the road in quest of about one hun- 
dred colored men, requesting him not to divulge the object of his 
visit, but simply to invite their presence at the oflice of Thos. C. Gar- 
rett, at eight o'clock, and to promise them a job if they would be 
surely on hand. At the appointed hour the men were all present. 
When Mr. Linderman explained that he wanted every man who was 
willing to work all night for the " narrow guage," at good wages, and 
to keep the matter strictly secret until the following day, to hold up 
his hand, every man promptly complied. Mr. Linderman then led 




THE LATE HENRY DISSTON. 



134 History of Atlantic City. 

the way to the thoroughfare landing where the engine and portable 
track was kept. The track had been laid on the meadows as far as 
Doughty "s meadow. No steam was gotten up for fear it might attract 
attention, necessitating the drawing of the engine. The men ar- 
riving at the forbidden territory, Mr. Linderman re<iuested the gang 
to lay the portable tract on the meadow towards the turnpike road, a 
public highway several yards out of the surveyed line of the railroad, 
but which passed directly across the property the injunction restrained 
the company from entering upon. Arriving at this public road the 
portable track was laid, and the engine drawn over a section at a time 
mitil it Avas on the other side of Doughty 's meadow, when the engine 
was run to the line surveyed for the road. The impedimemt sur- 
mounted, the road progressed rapidly towards the main land. Mean- 
while commissioners had viewed the land in dispute and assessed its 
value at one hundred dollars, which the company paid Mr. Doughty, 
when it Avas permitted to proceed unmolested with its work. Not- 
withstanding the difficulties encountered by the company, the road was 
completed on Saturday, July 7th, 1877. The first train over the road 
was run on this day, the passengers consisting of the officers and direc- 
tors and a few invited guests. It was simply an inspection trip, not 
regarded as the opening excursion. The train left Camden at 1.43 
o'clock P. M., in charge of Stewart Drake, formerly a conductor on 
the Lehigh Valley Railroad, and was necessarily run slow. At various 
points there were detentions, the chief of which was caused by the lay- 
ing of eight hundred feet of track at a place called Pump Bracli, about 
twenty miles from Camden. The last spike to complete the road was 
driven by Mr. A. B. Linderman, Secretary of the company, at this 
place. The train did not reach Atlantic until 9 o'clock P. M., when 
it was received at the depot Avith demonstrations of delight from a large 
number of people. It was deemed inexpedient to return that night, 
and the party quartered at Congress Hall until next morning. The 
train started on the return trip at 8.23 the next day, arriving in Cam- 
den at 1.25 P. M. On portions of the road good time was made, but 
owing to the inadequate arrangements for supplying the engine with 
water, many delays were unavoidable. 

On the morning of .July 25th, an excursion train left Philadelphia 
for the purpose of formally opening the road to the public. 

Invitations were issued by the company to members of the city 
government, journalists and prominent business men. The passengers 
on the train numbered about eight hundred. AMien near Tansboro, 
an accident occurred to the second section of eight cars. Tlie first tluee 
cars of this section jumped the track, upsetting one of the cars. 
Henry Graham, brakeman, was killed while at liis post, and three 
passengers seriously injured. Mr. J. Warren Gore, General Passenger 
Agent of the road, was in the rear car of this section, and as soon as 



History of Atlantic City. 135 

the accident occuiTed he seized a danger signal, ran back fortunately 
in time to avert danger by stopping the approaching train. After the 
delay of an hour or so the train proceeded to Atlantic. 

The company began with eiaht flrst-class locomotives, seven of 
which were made by Baldwin ; forty first class passenger cars, twenty 
freight box cars, forty freight (*ars, and a good supply of smoking and 
baggage cars. Pier eight was selected as the Philadelphia terminus of 
the road. From this point the "Pilot Boy," a promenade deck, side- 
wheel steamboat, was employed to carry passengers to Bulson Street, 
where the Camden depot was located. The company had purchased 
twenty acres of laud and built a large wharf there. Tlie Atlantic City 
depot was located at the corner of Atlantic and Arkansas Avenues, 
one of the Centennial buildings having been transferred to this place 
and converted into a building for that use. The Lafayette llestaurant 
at the Centennial, was reconstructed on the beach at the foot of Flor- 
ida Avenue and used during the first summer for an excursion 
house. The foundation of the building was undermined by severe 
storm-tides in the fall of 1877, causing the structure to fall to the 
ground a complete wreck. It was never rebuilt. 

The company met with reverses, and on July 12th, 1878, Charles 
R. Colwell was appointed Receiver, who managed it until July 7th, 
1879, when it went into the hands of G. B. Linderman and Wm. H. 
Gatzmer, trustees for mortgage bondholders. On September 20th, 
1883, the road was sold under a foreclosure of mortgage to George R. 
Kaercher, presumably representing the Reading Railroad Company, 
which is now operating the road. 

The present officers of the road are : President, George de B. 
Keim ; Secretary, Albert Foster ; Superintendent, Frank S. Urie ; 
General Manager, John E. Wootten ; General Freight Agent, J. Low- 
ry Bell ; Treasurer, John Welch ; General Passenger and Ticket 
Agent, C. G. Hancock. 

An ordinance passed by Council on April 22d, 1878, "granting 
the Philadelphia and Atlantic City Railway Company a right of way 
on Mississippi avenue," led to serious trouble between the Camden 
and Atlantic and the Narrow Guage Company, which threatened a 
public riot. The ordinance gave to the company the right to lay a 
track on the avenue from the meadows to the excursion house on the 
beach. In order to accomplish this the Philadelphia and Atlantic 
City Company were obliged to cross the track of the Camden and At- 
lantic on Atlantic avenue, where it intersects with Mississippi, which 
the latter company claimed it had a right to prevent. Mr. Richards 
had anticipated the passage of the ordinance, and brought to the city 
about fifty men on a special train, arriving about nine o'clock. By 
ten o'clock the ordinance had passed Council, and was promptly signed 
by Mayor Wright. The Camden and Atlantic also had anticipated 



136 



History of Atlantic City. 



the passage of the ordinance, and had dispatched Superintendent Lis- 
ter with a gang of men to the scene of contemplated action. As soon 
as the ordinance passed Mr. Lister ran an engine down Atlantic ave- 
nue a few feet below Mississippi avenue, and quietly awaited the 
action of Mr. Richards. About eleven o'clock Mr. Kichards appeared 
with a gang of men with picks, lanterns, and other tools, and com- 
manded them to cut the rails of the Camden and Atlantic, and put in 
a cross track for his road. Mr. Lister ran his engine on the east side 
of the crossing, and left it standing so the headlight would illuminate 
the spot where Mr. Eichards' men would have to work. It was clearly 
Mr. Lister's intention to run back and forth across Mississippi avenue, 
which he had a right to do so long as he did not obstruct the avenue. 
If Mr. Richards succeeded in cutting the track or removing any part 
of a rail, Mr. Lister, no doubt, would have run the wheels of his engine 




the WAVETtLY — 3IRS. ,TNO. L. BRYANT, PROPRIETOR. 

into the gap, and thus have put the Narrow Guage in an undesirable 
position. Mr. Richards procured a lot of shovels and ordered his men 
to throw gravel in front of the engine to keep it from crossing ]\Iissis- 
sippi avenue. They began to throw gravel vigorously, Avhen Mr. Lis- 
ter ordered his gang to remove the gravel. Two gangs of men soon 
were pitching gravel at each other, and indulging in violent threats. 
Some ties were near by which were also thrown in front of the locomo- 
tive. Mr. Lister was outnumbered in men, but they stood by him 
and resisted under his orders until some one struck him, when a riot 
became imminent. The Mayor at this juncture came to the front and 
commanded the men to desist. Officer Peterson arrested Mr. Lister 
and took him to the City Hall, where he was immediately dismissed 
frem custody by Alderman Shinn. Mr. Richards, taking advantage 
of Mr. Lister's absence, succeeded in putting in the crossing. 



HiSTOKY OF Atlantic City. 137 

Newspapers. 

In the summer of ISOi, a small publication called the Surf, bear- 
ing the impress of Atlantic City but printed in Philadelphia, was sent 
down on the evening trains for circulation in Atlantic City. It sus- 
pended before the close of the summer. The Season, also printed in 
Philadelphia, appeared in 186"), and became a permanent publication, 
having been distributed on the trains gratuitously every summer since. 
Messrs. Lineaweaver & Wallace are the enterprising proprietors. In 
1870, Messrs. Potter & Cordery issued the daily News from their office 
at Hammonton, for one season only. In 1872, Mr. Heller published 
the Wave and sent it here for daily distribution. The Bevieic, A. L. 
English, editor and proprietor, appeared on July 1st, of the same jear. 
It was the first paper ever printed on the island. The Wave suspended 
permanently in August, but the Review continued until September, 
suspending then for the winter months. It resumed daily publication 
on the 1st of the following July and appeared regularly every day until 
September when it again suspended for about a month to prepare for 
the publication of a weekly county paper, which came out on the 11th 
of October, 1873. The Revieiv devoted its energies to the interests 
of Atlantic, defei ding it against the attacks of envious rivals, and 
setting forth the merits of the place as a health resort, attracting wide- 
spread attention. Loyalty to the city and attention to business made 
it the most successful journal on the New .Jersey coast. It was sold to 
Messrs. Heston & Shreve, in the spring of 1884. Gen. Barbiere 
moved the Times from Hammonton to Atlantic in March, 1877. He 
shortly thereafter transferred the management of it to Mr. .Julius C. 
Shinnen, who retained possession less than a month, disposinar of his in- 
terest to Mr. Isaac F. Shaner. Mr. Chas. McClintock succeeded Mr. 
Shaner and retained control until Mr. ,Jno. F. Hall became the posses- 
sor in August, 1879. The first Sunday paper ever published was 
issued by Harrold Silberman, in May, 1884, entitled the Sundai/ Mail. 
The Church Herald, Rev .John H. Boswell, editor ; publication office, 
1214 Atlantic avenue. Published monthly. First appeared in winter 
of 1884. The Advocate, published by the Y. M. C. A., 1030 Atlantic 
avenue. Published monthly. 



Society of Xon-Resident Tax-Payers. 

On Sept. 2d, 1879, a number .of the non-rosident tax-payers, com- 
posed chiefly of Summer cottage residents, organized a society of non- 
resident tax-payers. Through the instrumentality of Hon. Geo. ]M. 
Dallas, a meeting was held for the purpose of preliminary organization, 
in the early part of the month above mentioned. At this meeting 
I 



138 History of Atlantic City. 

were the following non-resident tax-payers : Geo. M. Dallas, .John 
Roberts, Dr. Penrose, Wm. C. Houston, Messr.s. Brown and Woelpper, 
Hamilton Disston, "Wm. H. Berry, -John Fox, Wm. Lucas, G. Byron 
Morse, Louis Gutekunst, "VVm. Bumm, George Bumm. John Roberts, 
Esq., explained the object of the meeting, briefly stating the advan- 
tage of an organization such as was mentioned in the call. Hon. Mr. 
Dallas was elected chairman of the meeting. Mr. Dallas thanked the 
gentlemen for the compliment, and in effect said that in his judgment 
the organization of this assemblage for the purpose of considering the 
practicability of forming a permanent association was proper. He be- 
lieved the time had come for the non-resident property holders to have 
some organization through which they could offer suggestions to the 
authorities, and by which their wishes could be made known. There 
was no feeling in his breast to complain of the authorities. The rare 
success of the city under their control for the past 25 years was a mat- 
ter for congratulaion and praise. He was particularly anxious for 
harmony. But it was natural that the non-resident property owners have 
a feeling of interest in all important public subjects. In the recent agita- 
tion for a better boardwalk, fire-works, etc., they had taken important 
action. In all public schemes, looking to the improvement of the city, 
the non-residents had never been found wanting when aid was solic- 
ited. In the rapid progress of the place the time had arrived for pub- 
lic discussion on many important matters, and there certainly ought 
to be no difficulty in forming an association of non-residents to con- 
sider important subjects as they might occur. A committee might be 
appointed at this meeting to draft Constitution and By-Laws, to care, 
fully consider the best means of effecting an organization, to be sub- 
mitted to a meeting held on their return in the Spring. 

An organization was effected at this meeting. A number of cot- 
tage holders joined the association later. The society suggested 
several needed improvements to Council and proved of public service, 
but owing to the difficulty of securing meetings on account of the 
absence of members from the city, the association disbanded after 
about a year Ijom the time of its organization. 



Gex. Grant and Other Distinguished Guests. 

At the invitation of a number of our summer cottage residents 
Oen. Grant visited this place on Saturday, July 25, 1874, and re- 
mained until Monday morning. He was received at the United States 
Hotel by Mayor Chas. Souder, on behalf of the city, and by Rev. Dr. 
Willits for the summer guests. Gen. Grant responded briefly. Attor- 
ney General Williams arrived with the President. 



History of Atlantic City. 



1159 



The celebrated Potter Committee, composed of Messrs. Butler, 
Cox, Morrison, Blackburn, Springer, Keed, MacMahon, Cobb and 
Hunton, held a session here in the summer of 1878, using the ocean 
parlor of the United States Hotel as a place of meeting. Gen. Gar- 
field, Eugene Hale and Senator Edmunds were among the witnesses 
who testified. Senator Trumbull, ex-Gov. Palmer of Illinois, Hon. 
Zach. Chandler and other distinguished statesmen visited the city that 
summer. 







#/"/ 



u. s. life saving station. 



An excursion of New York bankers, brought here through the 
courtesy of the Camden and Atlantic Railroad arrived at Congress 
Hall, on Saturday, June 15, 1880. Dr. Reed received them with a 
speech in behalf of the city. 

The Centennial Commission arrived on Monday, June 15, 1874, and 
was entertained at the Ocean House. Remarks were made by Henry 
C. Carey, Jas. H. Campbell, ex-Minlster to Sweden, Thos. H. Dudley, 
ex-Minister to Liverpool, J. A. Atwood, Spanish Consul, and others, 
whose names cannot be obtained. 

The officials of Cincinnati came on the morning of Aug. 26, 1874. 
A cannon was fired in front of Schaufler's Hotel, on this occasion, and 
a reception speech made by Mayor Gardner. 

Cardinal McCloskey spent several days here in the summer of 
1883. Gen. Logan, Gen. Garfield, Gen. Sherman, Secretary Lincoln, 



140 History of Atlantic City. 

Gen. ^McClellan, the Governors of nearly all of the States, Bishop 
Simpson, Attorney General Brewster and a host of other distinguished 
guests have registered here within the past few years. 

It was the custom up to the Centennial year, for the railroad com- 
pany, the cottagers and business people of the city to invite eminent 
citizens and influential corporations to spend a day or two in the "City 
by the Sea," The company would furnish tht; transportation, the 
authorities would provide yachts and carriages, and the hotel propri- 
tors and citizens would entertain the inner man. This custom went 
far towards giving the city a widespread reputation as a delightful 
and hospitable health resort. This wise action on the part of the 
authorities, and the endorsement by the eminent physicians of Phila- 
delphia and Xew York, obtained in 1878, and circulated throughout 
the country in beautifully printed pamphlets, by the Camden and At- 
lantic Railroad Company, secured Atlantic City's eminence through- 
out the laud as the invalid's great sanitarium. Adding to this the 
faithful and enthusiastic advocacy of the place by the En-kvc^ which 
kept continuously before the people the superior dryness of the atmos- 
phere, Atlantic secured a just reputation as a "'health lift"' second 
to none in America. 



The Atlantic Avenue Railroad Controversy. 

Nothing occurred to mar the friendly relations existing between 
the city government and the Camden & Atlantic Railroad Company, 
until the year 1863, when the latter put a platform on Atlantic ave- 
nue, in front of the old National Excursion House, for the accommo- 
dation of excui-sionists. Correspondence between Council and the 
Company relative to this matter developed the fact that there was a 
wide difference of opinion in regard to rights and privileges on At- 
lantic avenue. No definite action looking to a settlement of the dis- 
pute was taken until February, 1877, when the railroad company be- 
gan to grade a road-bed and extend its track southward on Atlantic 
avenue, from a point near Georgia avenue. Soon after the company be- 
gan work, Mayor Wright issued the following notice, which was served 
by Officer Lacey : 

" To .James Bishop, or wiioever may have cliarge of laborers on 
Atlantic avenue in the employ of the Camden & Atlantic Railroad 
Company. You are hereby notified to suspend further work on said 
avenue immediately. 

"W. Wricht, Mayor." 

This request was complied with. The ground upon which the 
Mayor based his authority for the order was that the company 
had no right to break into an avenue, or to lay a track there- 



History of Atlantic City. 141 

on without first obtaining permission from Council. Tlie po- 
sition of the railroad company was that under a supplement to its 
original charter, passed in 1S61. it had certain privileges on the avenue, 
and a right to extend its track southward as far as Great Egg Har- 
bor Inlet. On. the 28th day of March following, the company began 
to lay a side track from Pennsylvania avenue to Massachusetts ave- 
nue. The Mayor caused the arrest of a number of the company's em- 
ployees, who were taken to the City Hall, and discharged sliortly 
thereafter. The ^company again suspended operations. David J. 
Pancoast, Escj., of Camden, was then instructed by a majority of 
Council to file a bill with the Chancellor, restraining the company 
from resuming work. The Chancellor refused to grant Mr. Pan- 
coast "s prayer, but issued a rule that the company show cause 
why an injunction should not issiie. This order the Mayor claimed 
was properly served. Abram Browning. Esq.. counsel for the com- 
pany, denying the service, filed an original bill, praying and obtaining 
an injunction restraining the Maj-or and Council from interfering 
with the company in laying its track. This injunction was served on 
the city authorities June 13, 1877. Council claimed that this injunc- 
tion was irregularly obtained. The company resumed operations im- 
mediately upon the service of the injunction. "When about three- 
fourths of the side-track had been laid, the rule of March 28th was 
served upon the company's employees. 

The track was removed by two members of council, their right in 
the premises becoming a grave question in the controversy. The com- 
pany shortly after completed the work, and the track has never since 
been disturbed. Harry L. Slape. Es(i.. was retained in the case about 
this time by City Council, and upon him thereafter the arduous 
duties of the suit devolved. The action of the Mayor in arresting the 
progress of the southern extension of the road, and the construction of 
a side track above Pennsylvania Avenue, divided public sentiment, 
and a bitterness of feeling ensued such as had never before existed in 
the history of the island. A majority of Council, the Mayor and those 
who endorsed his action, held that the arrest was simply to test and 
settle the control of the avenue. That the company had neither asked 
for nor been grantrd the privilege of breaking into the main highAvay. 
Others took the groimd that the track was a public nuisance, and 
should be removed from the avenue. The opposite side said the city 
had been made by the railroad company, that it had been conceived by 
its projectors, and the city had prospered under its management. That 
the avenue originated with, and had been surveyed by the company, 
before the city was incorporated ; that the track on the main had 
been located and constructed before a City Government came into ex- 
istence, and that the distribution of passengei-s over this track had 
caused the city to spread and improve. 



142 



History or Atlantic City. 



Complaints having been made about the company's track between 
Indiana and Arkansas Avenues, Council, about the middle of June, '77, 
appointed a committee of three of its members, consisting of Elias 
"Wright, John J. Gardner and Wni. Mitchell, to examine said track, 
and report to Council. This committe made a report, declaring the 
track a public nuisance, and an ordinance to that effect was passed 
immediately. The closing section of the ordinance reads : 

Be it ordained by the City Council of Atlantic City in council as- 
sembled. That all the railroad tracks in and upon Atlantic avenue, 
between Indiana and Arkansas avenues, and within the corporate 
limits of the city of Atlantic City, be and are hereby declared an ob- 
struction to the public use of said street and highway, and adjudged 
and declared to tie a public nuisance to the city of Atlantic City and 
the inhabitants thereof ; and be it further ordained, that the said nui- 
sance be abated and removed according to law, and that the Camden 
and Atlantic Railroad Company be notified and required to remove 
and abate the said nuisance forthwith, and that this ordinance take 
effect immediately. 




HOTEL ALBION — LEXTZ .t t^IEGRIST, PROPRIETORS. 



The company filed a bill in chancery to restrain the city from re- 
moving the rails. The city filed an answer and a great deal of testi- 
mony was taken. Before a final hearing the question was settled by 
the passage of an ordinance, approved June 13th, 1881, which the 
company accepted. The most important provisions of this ordinance 
are : That it shall permanently adjust all differences between said 
city and company ;'' that the company shall have the right to construct 
and operate its tracks on the avenue the whole length of the same, 
now dedicated or hereafter extended, as shown in a survey and map 
filed in the office of the Secretary of State, February 7th, 1875 ; that 
said road shall be kept at the grade of said Atlantic avenue, as now 
established or may hereafter be established by the city ; that tlie com- 
pany shall extend said track, either single or double, to the southwest 



History of Atlantic City. 143 

boundary of the city within two years from June 13, 1881 ; that the tracks 
used shall be flat and between the rails and immediately adjoining the 
outside thereof, the company shall pave or plank the same at grade 
with said track or tracks ; that the said company shall furnish, deliv- 
ered on Atlantic avenue wheresoever directed by City Council, a suffi- 
cient quantity of sand and gravel, free of cost to Atlantic City, to 
build Atlantic avenue from curb to curb wheresoever its tracks may 
be extended from Georgia avenue southwestward, and it shall in like 
manner furnish gravel and keep said Atlantic avenue in good repair, 
as said City Council may require from time to time, in all its parts 
from Absecon Inlet to the southwest line of said city, and shall trunk 
the same wherever its road-bed shall obstruct the course of water ; no 
^gravel to be furnished between June first and October first, and one 
month's notice to be given the company when a supply is required, in 
consideration of which no future grant shall be given to build or oper- 
ate a railroad on Atlantic avenue longitudinally ; said delivering, re- 
pairing, building, grading, graveling, trunking, switching, and main- 
taining said tracks and avenue in proper condition as aforesaid in all 
their parts, to be imder the supervision and subject to the approval of 
the City Council of Atlantic City ; that the company shall pay annual- 
ly to the city a license of fifty dollars for each horse car used on the 
avenue for local travel, and a license on all express wagons run by 
them, equal in amount to that paid for express wagons of like charac- 
ter ; that said company shall in no wise hinder or obstruct the Phila- 
delphia and Atlantic City Railway Company, or the West Jersey and 
Atlantic Railroad Company, from the execution of their rights, grants, 
and privileges under existing ordinance or ordinances of Atlantic 
City ; that in case the boundary line of Atlantic City shall hereafter 
be extended, and the company shall at any time extend its track on 
any land within the bounds so extended, all the provisions of the ordi- 
nance shall apply thereto. 

This ordinance is almost identical with one prepared by General 
Wright, in 1877, which the company rejected. At a conference held 
in .June, 1877, at the U. S. Hotel, between J. J. Gardner, Elias Wright 
and Wm. Mitchell, for the city, and James B. Dayton and John F. 
Starr, for the Railroad Company, the differences of opinion were dis- 
cussed. Nearly the entire Board of Directors of the company were 
present at this meeting, which resulted in the appointment of sub- 
committees, consisting of Mr. Gardner and Samuel Gray, Esq., to 
represent the city, and Mr. Dayton and Abram Browning, Esq.. for 
the company. To these gentlemen was committed the responsibility 
of preparing a compromise ordinance, to be submitted to the company 
and council for consideration. The sub-committets adjourned to the 
cottage of Mr, Dayton, where an agreement was settled upon. On the 
following evening it was read to Council and the company in the par- 



144 History of Atlantic City. 

lor of the United States hotel. On motion of Thos. H. Dudley the 
company declined to accede to its terms. The text of this agreement 
is as follows: That "all controversy be settled by said company, 
changing the location of its tracks in said avenue, so that the two 
tracks that are on it shall be at equal distance from the centre line of 
the location of their railroad, the same being the centre of said street ; 
that the said company shall so make and construct said tracks as to 
admit of ordinary driving or travel across them, by planking or paving 
between and adjoining to the rails of said track or tracks, and gravel- 
ing between the tracks ; that the company shall maintain the facilities 
of crossing said tracks at its own expense, this work to be done prior 
to the first day of October next (1877); the company shall fill up to grade 
and gravel so much of Atlantic avenue south of Pennsylvania avenue '■ 
to California avenue as is not now so graded." The agreement goes 
on to state that "u]ion the execution of formal papers, and the passing 
of a proper ordinance acceptable to the said company, the city shall 
and will withdraw all objection to the said company making, main- 
taining, and operating two tracks between the Inlet and California 
avenue, and all suits and controversies now pending shall be with- 
drawn and not further prosecuted without the payment of costs by 
either party to the other, provided that nothing shall be implied from 
this settlement which shall impair the legal rights of said company, 
nor to deprive said city from any powers it may have over said 
avenue.'" 

This proposition, as stated above, the railroad company declined 
to accept. A very important consideration in influencing the city 
authorities in deciding upon a settlement of the controversy by the 
passage of the ordinance of June, 1881, was the belief that it would be 
impossible to depose the company from certain rights on Atlantic ave- 
nue, above Pennsylvania, and to gain important rights on Atlantic ave- 
nue below California avenue, which were in possession of the company. 
While the city might have driven the company from the avenue, from 
South Carolina avenue to California avenue, the territory referred to 
probably would have been operated on by the company forever. 



TiiK Lii'inN( ott Land Case. 

This case involved the title to valuable lands along the entire 
beach front of New Jersey. The i)ersons directly affected in this city 
were Edwin Lippincott, proprietor of Haddon House, and Charles 
Evans, proprietor of the Seaside House. While only the land of Mr. 
Lippincott was named in tiie trial, it was regarded as a test suit, and 
attracted wide-spread attention. Tiie following is a history of the 
case in l^rief: — In 1>^5(>, the Camden and Atlantic liand Company 




sold Thomas Miles land 
tionting the ocean, and 
bound on the opposite 
side by Pacific avenue, 
evtendiug from said 
a\enue three hundred 
and twenty feet, more or 
less, to storm-tide-line 
of the Atlantic Ocean. 
Title descended from 
Miles to Lippincott. 
Meanwhile large accre- 
tions of land had 
tormed, upon a portion 
of which Haddon House 
w as built. On yeptember 
. 8, 1880, a "summons" 
=^ ^\as served on Mr. Lip- 
~ pmcott, in a writ of 
Q ejectment issued by the 
5 Land Company, setting 
^ up a claim to all land 
H bevond the 320 feet speci- 
o hed running towards the 
"^^ ocean. The case was 
'^ carried to the county 
^ courts, but trial was 
;;; postponedby the plaintiff 
at each term, until 
Z Judge Reed set a special 
- teim for the case in Oc- 
" tober, 1S82. The matter 
then came up before a 
struck jury, but was 
put over again at the 
request of plaintiff. At 
the regular term in 
December, 1882, it came 
before another struck 
nuy, and the trial was 
pioceeded with until the 
testimony was all in, 
when Court adjourned 
till the 3d of January 
foi argument. The 
Judge charged the jury 
at length on the fol- 
lo-wing day, submitting 



146 History of Atlantic City. 

fourteen questions for their consideration and answer. These ques- 
tions were answered by the jury, and returned to the Court on the oth 
of January, and were regarded as favorable to defendant. The whole 
case, including the questions submitted by the Judge, were argued in 
1883, at the June term of the Supreme Court, before Justices Beasley, 
Depue, Knapp and Vansycle. Barker Gummere and Courtlandt 
Parker appeared for plaintiff ; and Peter L. Voorhees, and Frederick 
Voorhees, for defendant. The Court, after ordering the evidence 
to be printed, reserved its decision until the November term, when, 
in an exhaustive opinion, it decided that Mr. Lippincott had legal title 
to the premises, but in coosequence of an error or informality in the 
answer to one of the questions in the Lower Court, the Supreme Court 
could not order judgment, but granted the privilege of a new trial. 
None being applied for, the defendant's counsel notified plaintiff that 
application would be made to the Supreme Court for a non-suit. No 
defence being made, the Court granted the request, and by an opinion 
rendered at the November term of 1SS3, established the principle that 
the title to land bounded by a storm-tide mark advances or recedes ac- 
cording to the same laws governing the title to accretions to land 
bounded either by high or low water mark. The array of counsel in 
this case was : For plaintiff— Courtlandt Parker, Barker Gummere, 
Wm. Moore, Alex. II. Sharp. For defendant — Peter L. Voorhees, 
Frederick Voorhees, Samuel II. Grey, Jos. Thompson. 



Impkovement Association. 

An organization by this name was formed in 1878. l^evi C. Al- 
bertson was elected president, and F. B. Lippincott, secretary. At a 
meeting held in the council chamber on Monday evening, January 12, 
1879, the following By-Laws were adopted : 

"Ai't. II. The officers of this association shall be a president, a 
vice-president, a secretary, and a board of directors, consisting of ten 
I'esident real estate owners of Atlantic City, which ten resident direc- 
tors shall elect five non-resident directors, wiio shall be owners of real 
estate in Atlantic City, and who shall have ecjual powers with the resi- 
dent directoro for the transaction of business. 

Art. III. All the officers and resident directors of this association 
shall be elected aniuially, on the first regulai meeting in January in 
each year at a regular meeting of the association, and the election 
shall be by ballot, and all the officers so elected sliall hold their offices 
for one year, or until their successors are elected. 

Art. IV. The objects and purposes of this association shall be the 
l)rotection of property and the enhancement of its value, the encour- 
agement and advancement of all public or private enterprises that may 



History of Atlantic City. 147 

be calculated to benefit the city and our people, and to place before 
the public, in the most pronounced manner, our superior advantages 
as a resort for health, comfort, and pleasure. 

Art. V. No member of this association shall be permitted to speak 
in favor of any political party during the discussion of any subject, 
and as this association is intended to be above politics and to promote 
the common welfare, the discussion of any political subject in this 
body, or any committee thereof, is hereby prohibited." 

After a few years' effective service to the public, the association 
suspended its meetings. 



KuNNiNG the Trains Through the City. 

From the day of the arrival of the first train in Atlantic, until 
the spring of 1876, passengers were distributed through the city by 
stops made at about every fourth avenue. In June of that year, Mr. 
Jno. Lucas, then President of the Camden & Atlantic, ordered all 
trains stopped at the depot. The enforcement of the order created a 
great public agitation. Most of the people at either extreme of the 
city earnestly protested and petitions numerously signed were present- 
ed to the Board of Directors of the company, praying it to resume the 
old practice. A public meeting was called at the City Hall, and was 
largely attended. Addresses were made, and the action of the com- 
pany condemned. It was about the time of the projection of the Phila- 
delphia & Atlantic City (narrow gauge) road. The people residing up- 
town, and others sympathizing with them, appealed to the new com- 
pany to adopt the plan first practiced by the old road, and run pas- 
sengers as far up town as Massachusetts avenue. The new company 
promised to do so, and an ordinance granting the company the privi- 
lege of laying a track on Arctic avenue up through the city was ulti- 
mately passed by Council. Later this ordinance was repealed, and a 
like privilege granted on Baltic avenue. 

The Camden & Atlantic soon after resumed the delivery of pas- 
sengers, but many of the hotel proprietors had purchased 'buses, and 
were less interested in the matter than before. The wisdom of running 
the cars through the city became a debateable matter, ultimately drift- 
ing into a contention that became an issue in our local politics. 



Board of Health. 

The city's sanitary code is the vine upon which the tempting clus- 
ter has grown, and the purple grapes can show no more intimate de- 
pendence upon the parent stem than Atlantic City bears to a superior 



148 



History of Atlantic City, 



sanitaiT system. Until the year 1880, the duty of keeping vigil ovei* 
the city in the matter of the removal of garbage, cliciinage, low and 
stagnant places, cesspool, etc. , devolved upon a committee of Council 
known as the " Sanitary Committee. " On the 11th of March, 1880, 
the Governor approved an Act of the Legislature, requiring all incor- 
porated cities, towns and boroughs, to appoint a Ijoard of health, com- 
posed of at least five, and not more than seven members. In compli- 
ance with this law. Mayor Wright appointed Dr. F. B. Lippincott, T. 
A. Byrnes, Jno. L. Bryant, Geo. Hayday and Thos. McGuire. The 







-i^eLPARK BATH MOUSE-ATLANTIC^ITY 



board lield its first meeting in the City Hall, on the 20th of May, 1880, 
and organized by the appointment of Dr. Lippincott, as chairman, and 
Mr. McGuire, Secretary. Messrs. Bryant and Byrnes were appointed 
a committee on rules. During the administration of Mayor Bryant, 
the board was increased to seven members, by the appointment of 
Messrs. Borton and Barstow. 

The present ollicers and members of the Board are : President, 
Boardman Reed, M. D.; Secretary, Edward A. lleiley. Members- 
Joseph H. Borton, Jos. A. Barstow, John B. Champion, Albert "VV. 
Irving, Mahlon C. Frambes ; Sanitary Inspector, Dr. J. J. Comfort. 



History of Atlantic City. 141> 

The Excursion Houses. 

The Seaview Excursion House was built in March, 1869, by the 
Seaview Hotel Company. On the 23d of March, before the work on the 
building had been finished, a severe gale razed it to the ground. The 
original officers were : President, Eobt. Frazer ; Secretary, Horace 
Whiteman. Directors, Jas. B. Dayton, John Lucas, Jno. Wallace, 
Geo. W. Carpenter, Samuel C. Smith, Kobt. M. Mitchison. The open- 
ing of the house was celebrated by an excursion, on the •21st of June, 
1869. S. C. Konigmacher managed the house for the company the 
first year. Mr. John Trenwith is the present lessee. Mr. Thomas 
Trenwith is superintendent. 

The Narrow Guage Excursion House was built in the spring of 
1877, at the ocean end of Florida Avenue, by the Philadelphia and 
Atlantic Railway Company. It had previously been one of the buiUl - 
ings on the Centennial grounds. In the fall of '77, a storm-tide under- 
mined the foundation, causing the house to fall to the ground, a com- 
plete wreck. In the spring of 1878, Mr. Charles Palmer converted his 
hotel into an excursion house, for the use of the railroad company, to 
which the company has run all of its excursions ever since. Frank 
Barnett purchased the property of Mr. Palmer, and is now the mana- 
ger and proprietor of it. It is known as the Lafayette Excursion 
House. 

Mr. S. M. Nash built the West Jersey Excursion House in the 
spring of 1880, on Georgia Avenue. It was managed by Mr. Nash, 
until the season of 1884, when it was leased to Messrs. Giles & 
McKune. 



Atlantic City National Bank. 

Through the instrumentality of Mr. Robt. D. Kent, a meeting of 
business men was held at the Seaside House in the latter part of 
August, 1880, to consider the matter of establishing a National Bank 
in Atlantic City. Seven men only responded to the invitation. Three 
thousand dollars was the amount of stock subscribed at this meeting. 
The movement thus modestly begun was encouraged by additional 
subscriptions from the citizens and non-residents, among whom Mr, 
Kent mingled with a petition. In the course of six months the neces- 
sary stock of 150,000 was subscribed. A meeting for organization 
was held in the City Hall on March 18, 1881, which resulted in the 
election of the following officers and directors : Directors, Joseph A. 
Barstow, John B. Champion, Geo. F. Currie, Chas. Evans, Richard 
H. Turner, Elisha Roberts. Officers. — President, Charles Evans; 
Cashier, Robt. D. Kent. On May 23, 1881, the bank was opened, 
temporarily occupying a room in Currie's building, below South Caro- 



150 History or Atlantic City. 

lina Avenue. The success of the iustitution was assured from the 
start. ^0 dividends were declared the first year, but thereafter three 
per cent, semi-annual dividends were paid, in addition to which the 
surplus fund has reached twenty-three per cent of the capital. The 
business of the bank is now done in Bartlett's brick building, built 
especially for banking purposes, at the corner of Atlantic and North 
Carolina Avenuse. 



The Water Controversy. 

On October 21st, 1880, an ordinance was passed granting John 
W. Moffley, Walter Wood and their associates, or such company as 
they might form under the laws of the State, to lay pipes in the streets 
for the purpose of providing a supply of water. Among other things 
the ordinance specified that the company should receive from the city 
13,300 per annum for a supply of water, and that upon the extension 
of the city such sum should be allowed the company for additional fire 
plugs as the city might elect. Under the ordinance the company was 
required to maintain a head of eighty feet of water in the stand-pipe, 
and to keep therein at all times ISO.OOO gallons of water. 

On the nineteenth of November, 1880, the same Council passed 
an ordinance supplemental to and amendatory of the above mentioned 
ordinance, in which the annual city water rent was increased to $7,500, 
and that for each additional mile of extension of water plugs the city 
was required to pay $750' per annum. In the supplemental ordinance 
the city was deprived of the control of water rates and from levying a 
municipal tax. The supplemental ordinance also struck out the 
words "which shall at all times contain " where it referred to the 
maintenance of 180,000 gallons of water in the stand-pipe. 

The passage of this supplemental ordinance led to public agitation, 
and serious litigation, which is still pending. At the re(iuest of cer- 
tain taxpayers the Attorney General filed an information to set aside 
the ordinance and contracts made thereunder. 

A new Council having been elected, the original ordinance and 
the supplemental ordinance thereto were repealed. 

Public meetings were called and tlie question of a water supplv 
thoroughly discussed, much feeling characterizing the speeches. There 
was a strong demand for the city to build and control its own works, 
and with a view to testing public sentiment in the matter, a special 
election was held on Tuesday, , 1881, which resulted in a 

total vote of 5'.>1 — 500 of which were in favor of the city owning and 
controlling its water supply. The ballots polled read as follows : 



History of Atlantic City. 



151 



•■ For the adoption for this city of the jn-ovisions of an act entitled, ' An Act 
to enable cities to supply the inhabitants thereof with pure and wholesome 
water.' 

Against the adoption for this city of the provisions of an act entitled, ' An Act 
to enable cities to supply the inhabitants thereof with pure and wholesome 
water.' " 

The Moffley-Wood Company, paying no heed to the repealer, pro- 
ceeded with the construction of the works. The company disputed 
the claim of Council that it had not lived up to the requirements of 
the original ordinance, and that the repealer was therefore of no force. 
The company was permitted to proceed with the work, and on the ll»th 
of Jime, 1882, a supply of water from the springs of the mainland was 
introduced mto the city. The names of the officers and board of direc- 
tors are herewith submitted : President, Walter Wood ; Treasurer, 




8EAVIEW HOTEL — JOHN TRENAVITH, PROPRIETOR. 



Aaron Freas ; Secretary, Mr. Greaves. Directors — Walter Wood, 
Jno. W. Moffley, Aaron Freas, Israel Adams, Geo. Wood, Gen. E. 
Wright, W. D. Kemble, Jno. McChesney. In the suits above referred 
to, H. L. Slape, Esq., is counsel for relators, and S. H. Gray, Esq., 
and Peter L. Voorhees for the Water Company. 



Death of Lincoln and Garfield. 

The news of the death of President Lincoln on April 14, 18(35, 
was received with public manifestations of sorrow throughout the 
city. The schools suspended for a short time and a public meeting, to 
give expression to the deep feeling of grief, was held in the First 



I'll.' History of .\tl antic City. ' 

Methodist Chinch. Resolutions of regret were passed Ijy all of the 
societies. The city was draped in mourning, tlie only bells then here— 
those in the Presbyterian and Catholic churches — were tolled, and 
every Hag in the city put at half mast. A special train ran to Phila- 
delphia when the remains of the great President were lying in state in 
tiiat city. 

The obseciuies of President Garfield were observed by the people 
of this city in an appropriate manner. Mayor Slape issued the follow- 
ing proclamation : I. Harry L. Slape, Mayor of Atlantic City, do 
hereby recommend that the people of Atlantic City do observe the 
said 26th day of September, 1881, by the closing of places of business 
throughout the day, and by assembling for prayer and other appropri- 
ate services to be held in the Presbyterian church in this city, at the 
hour of two o'clock p. m. 

There was a general suspension of business on this day. The as- 
semblage at the Presbyterian church was very large. The Hooker Post 
was present in uniform, as was the police department. After volun- 
tary by Prof. Henry Wolsieffer, Rev. Mr. Bailey, of the Baptist de- 
nomination, made a few appropriate remarks, closing with the reading 
of President Arthur's proclamation. The choir sang "Asleep in 
Jesus." Prayer was ofiiered by Rev. Edward Bryan, of the Presbyte- 
rian church, followed by "Jesus, Lover of my Soul," from the choir. 
Rev. Z. T. Dugan , of St. Paul's M. E. church, read the twenty-fifth 
chapter of Matthew, which was followed by an interesting address by 
Rev. Mr. Sovereign. "Broken Hearts," was rendered by the quar- 
tette. Senator Gardner then made an eloquent address 

A memoriam hyn n, by Rev. Alfred Xevin, D.D., was sung by 
the congregation. Mayor Slape followed in an able speech. Dr. 
Thos. K. Reed made a very effective address, dwelling particnlarly on 
the nature of the wound and the heroic conduct of General Garfield 
throughout his great suffering. "Rest, Brother, Rest," was then 
sung by the choir. Rev. ^Slr. Cline, of the First M. E. church, dwelt 
particularly upon the Cin-istian character of the dead President, and 
thought it was consoling that he was an open professor of Christ. 
Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Dugan. The congregation sang 
" Xearer my God to Thee," after which it was dismissed with the 
benediction by Rev. Mr. Cline. 



Early Batii-Housks. 

Not until the last decade was there any attempt to keep the bath- 
houses permanently on the beach. They were rough, unsightly struc- 
tures, strongly put together, made of a size that would admit of their 
being put on a wagon every Autumn, and hauled to a point of safety 
up in the city. Long rows of bath-houses dumped along Pacific and 



History of Atlantic City. 



153 



other avenues, were a common Winter scene. Not a building was left 
on the beach after the close of the bathing season. A few weeks be- 
fore the Summer season opened, the beach presented an animated 
scene of busy laborers who were engaged in removing bath-houses 
beachward, and in removing the accumulated sand drifts, and debris 
of wrecks that had come ashore during the Winter. The beach has 
been less shifting of late years, and the effort to fix the tasteful and 
expensive buildings which adorn the beach to-day has met with en- 
couraging success. Bulwarks have been built at places that have 
withstood the force of the storm-tossed sea; foundations of bath-houses 
have been sunk deeper in the sand, and ocean piers extended success- 
fully into the sea. The first bath-house we have any account of was 
that built by Mr. Manasa McClees, at the foot of Massac hussetts ave- 
nue, in 1854, in charge of Mr. G. H. Leedom, who has since accumu- 
lated a competency in the bath-house and restaurant business, and be- 
come a member of Council and an honored and influential citizen. In 
that day the beach was regarded, in a great measure, as the property 
of the public for bathing purposes. Every purchaser of property felt 
that he had a legitimate right to put a bath-house somewhere on the 
beach for the use of his family. Tt may not have been so nominated 
in his deed, but the right wnis permitted to be implied. But as the 
town became more populous, so did the beach front increase in value, 
until the question of legal ownership became a matter of dispute that 
led to litigation, resulting in the abolishment of squatter sovereignty 
and possession by those whose deeds named high-water-mark or storm- 
tide-line as the south-eastern boundary of their property. 




^■ji History of Atlantic City. 



CHArTER IV 



Tub "West Jersey axd Atlantic Railroad. 

A strip of crescent beach, a genial sun overhead, a sea gull flying 
through the blue sky, a vast stretch of water reaching out to the 
horizon, and an occasional sail flecking the distance, were the only fea- 
tures which marked the site of the present Queen Resort of the Sea when 
Dr. Pitney first conceived the idea of connecting the Delaware and 
the Ocean with a ribbon of iron. The sweet cadence of the sea and 
the whistle of the meadow bird were the only sounds of this lonely 
shore. In 1S54 Xature invited Art into partnership, and the issue 
was a railroad, the result of which a great sanitarium rose sphinx-like 
from the ocean. 

The year 1R70 is as memorable in the history of Atlantic City as 
it is in the history of the Nation, for it was during that period that 
Samuel Richards, who had watched the seed planted in the sandy 
desert by Dr. Pitney grow and become fruitful with health, and bloom 
with golden flowers for the faded cheek, conceived the ideaof a second 
road to the now great and prosperous health lift. Where the doctor 
saw only sky, sea and sand, Mr. Richards, in '76, beheld hundreds of 
happy seaside homes, great hotels, broad streets, beautiful gardens 
and the stami) of prosperity and civilization on every side. He saw 
the people flocking to the healing sea like those of old seeking the waters 
of Siloam, and became impressed with the conviction that a line which 
could afford cheap rates to the ocean would not only prove a profitable 
investment to the stockholders, but also a great blessing to the medi- 
um and poorer classes. In less than a twelve-month the opening of a 
second road to Atlantic was celebrated, and a few weeks later hun- 
dreds of people were being whirled to the ocean for the astonishing 
sum of fifty cents each, — less than hack fare from Market street, Phil- 
adelphia, to the Park. 

The fame of the city as a health resort now l)ecaine more wide- 
spread, and it ])rospered so marvellously that, in 1880, General Wm. 



History of Atlaktic City. 



155 



J. Sewell became impressed with tlie belief that the patronage of the 
place would warrant the operation of a third road. He promptly or- 
ganized a company, and in a few months thereafter a third route to 
•Atlantic City was opened for the accommodation of the public. The 
Pennsylvania Railroad Company assumed the management of the new 
road, and immediately the name of Atlantic City became familiar in 
every ticket office in the land, in the control of that great and power- 
ful corporation. The reputation of the place became national, and 
people from all parts of the country began to appreciate its curative 
and health-nnparting »iualities. 







' S ^ r r . 31. i."'&SJS^,r V , , . ' r ' t <r Y f i- - r r ^ (£ If j 




%y^i iJ&wiL ^lE-yiz:. l^»^ 









UNITED STATES (LARGEST) HOTEL — BEXJ. 11. BROWN, OAVXER. 



The first public announcement of the new project was made in 
September, 1879. A sudden fall in Camden and Atlantic Railroad 
stock about the first of September, led to considerable speculation as 
to the cause, the rumor getting abroad that a company of New York 
capitalists had bought the Philadelphia and Atlantic City road, and 
were going to convert it into a broad guage line. 

The stock reports in the Philadelphia Monday morning papers, of 
Sept. 22d, were eagerly scanned for some explanation of the unexpected 
turn in the "old reliable's " stock, but when nothing was discovered 
but a considerable increase in the marketable value of the stock which 
had so suddenly fallen on Saturday, it became the impression generally 
that the whole affair liad been a scare, or a put-up job toYush down 
the stock for the sake of speculation. This feeling was indulged until 



150 History of Atlantic City. 

Tuesday morning, when an article in the Inquirer established the fact 
of the organization of a new company for the purpose of building a 
third road. 

The Inquirer, in its issue of September -iSd, 187U, said : 
" A meeting was held on Monday, in Camden, X. J., of gentlemen 
who have, for some time past, been interested in projecting a new rail- 
road between Philadelphia and Atlantic City, and their object took 
definite form in the organization of the "West Jersey and Atlantic 
Railroad Company," and the adoption of measures looking to the im- 
mediate prosecution of the work of building and equipping a new road 
between the points named. 

Mr. George Wood, of the firm of 11. D. Wood & Sons, was elected 
president, and Hon. Edward Bettle, of New Jersey, was elected 
secretary and treasurer. The firm of Wood & Sons own large cotton 
mills at Millville, May's Landing and other places, and have an office 
and wareroom at Xo. 404 Chestnut street, in Philadelphia. The stock 
was all subscribed and the books closed prior to the adjournment of the 
meeting. 

The following is a full list of the directors elected on Monday, to 
manage the affairs of the new road : George Wood, manufacturer ; Is- 
rael S. Adams, collector of port, Egg Harbor ; Geo. C. Potts, broker, 
Philadelphia ; Samuel Lewis, i)rinter, Philadelphia ; Colonel A. L. 
Snowden, superintendent of mint; Chas. P. Stratton, lawyer, Camden; 
William S. Scull, grocer, Camden ; Mahlon Hudson, lawyer, Borden- 
town ; Aaron Fries, Philadelphia ; John M. Moore, manufacturer, 
Clayton ; (ieneral Mott, New Jersey ; Edward A. Warne, Philadel- 
phia ; Benjamin F. Lee, New Jersey." 

The road was formally opened for the public on Wednesday, June 
16, 1880, by the officials, who made an inaugural excursion over the 
route, accompanied by invited guests and members of the Philadel- 
phia and New Jersey Press. A special train of four elegant new cars, 
under the care of Conductor J. C. Sweeten, conveyed the party safely 
and (luickly to the " City-by-the-Sea. " Although the time of depar- 
ture was several hours later than announced, occasioned by the up 
Cape May express running off the track and blockading it, about a 
dozen miles below Camden, it so happened that Mr. Frank Thomp- 
son, general manager of the Pennsylvania Railroad, was on the spot 
shortly after the accident occurred, and by his energetic efforts the 
track was speedily cleared. 

After leaving Camden, the only stop made was at Wenonah, where 
the conductor and Mr. Thompson were taken aboard, and tiience to 
New Field, where the new road really began. The route at this i)oint 
contrasted strongly with that left behind. From West Jersey to 
New Fiel^ the country was highly cultivated and well populated. Frqm 
New Field to Atlantic City it lays through a cnniparatively newcomi- 



History of Atlantic City. 



try, there being at present only two stations of any consequence along 
the whole line. These are May's Landing and Pleasantville. Atlan- 
tic City was reached by 2.27 P.M., after a swift and pleasant ride of 
90 minutes. On account of the late start from Camden, no time was 
given passengers to see the place. An excellent dinner had been prepared 
by the managers at the new Excursion House of the company, and 
was partaken of by the guests immediately upon the arrival of the 
train. Satisfaction being rendered this part of the programme, 
.speeches and toasts were in order, when ex-Judge Buchanan, of Tren- 
ton, proposed the first toast, pledging the success of the new road. 

This was responded to 
by Mr. George Wood, 
the President. Hon. 
Edward Bettle, the Sec- 
retary and Treasurer 
followed, stating that it 
was proper for those 
who were to be directly 
benefitted by its suc- 
cess shovdd be together 
on this inaugural day. 
The stockholders had 
Therefore made this ex- 
cursion. They had also 
invited the Mayor and 
Council of Atlantic City, 
who had done much in 
the way of necessary 
local legislation for the 
company. Gentlemen 
interrsted in the two 
other roads to Atlan- 
tic City had also been 
invited to be with 
them, and there was no rivalry with them on the part of the new 
road. The members of the Press, to whom everything in the line of 
progress owed so much, had also been invited to be present. In con- 
cluding his remarks, Mr. Bettle expressed himself highly pleased with 
the road, and believed it to be up to the standard of the Pennsylvania 
Railroad. Major Byrnes, of Atlantic, in a brief speech then cordially 
welcomed the excursionists, and alluded to the rapid progress of At- 
lantic City, so much of which was due to railroads. Concluding, he 
said the company had done their work well, and thanked them in the 
name of the public, wiio would, no doubt, be benefitted by it. State 
Senator Gardner followed Mr. Byrnes, saying that Atlantic City was 




LATE IIOX. .mo. L. BKYANT. 



158 History of Atlantic City. 

but an experiment at first, but when a third railroad had had its open- 
ing it was time it was declared a success. He referred to the bright 
future in store for the City-by-the-Sea, and also to its "pet hobby" 
that the commerce of Philadelphia will soon pass through Atlantic 
City by rail, instead of takin? the longer course to the sea. by the Dela 
ware. He repeated the welcome to the road, and complimented the 
Press, which had made Atlantic City so extensively known. 

Col. A. Loucen Snowden after taking the chair, whicli served as a 
platform for the speakers, regretted the absence of Gen. Sewell, who 
he stated, was the originator of the enterprise and conceived the idea 
of a third road to Atlantic City. He denied that the place was but an 
experiment at first; for as early as 1837 an English physician pro- 
nounced it the most salubrious spot for invalids, and from that time 
its success was insured. He said that citizens could not complain that 
capitalists had not invested their money in the place, and all that was 
needed to sustain its reputation for healtlif ulness was proper attention 
to the supply of water and to the sewerage. Mr. Snowden, in closing, 
said that the managers of the new road bore the greatest good will to- 
Avards the old roads, and that they would sustain no unjust rivalry 
from them. Mayor Wright responded to Mr. Snowden, He indorsed 
the welcomes and compliments extended to the railroad company and 
to the press, both of which are and have been such great mediums to 
the success of the city. He stated that the people of the place would 
not willingly place a straw in the path of success of the other roads, 
but did not think the new one would harm them in any w^ay and wel- 
comed it. In regard to the drainage of the city and the water supply, 
he said there was in contemplation a system wiiich would give entire 
satisfaction. He also alluded to the low rate of taxation, which, not- 
withstanding tlie contemplated improvements, will be lower this year 
than ever before. Col. Fitzgerald then mounted the chair and gave 
his experience in railroad matters. He said he had opened the "'■Old 
Keliable," the Narrow Guage, and was oi)ening the new road. As an 
experienced railroad man, in his judgment, the present one was the 
best. Mr. Donnelly, of the Eveninff Neics, followed, saying what a 
good thing it was for Atlantic City that it had two broad guage roads, 
on such broad guage principles. Mr, Massey, of the Narrow Guage road, 
was then called upon and heartly endorsed all that had been said in 
reference to the good feeling between the competing roads, saying it 
only remained for the city to make the place a success for all — ''But 
the narrow gauge is the safest." He stated that there wiis room for 
all three roads, and concluded by proposing three cheers for the suc- 
cess of Atlantic City. These were given with a will, followed by tiiree 
more for Mr. ISIassey, proposed by Mr, AVood. Mr. Edwin Reed, a 
director of the "Old Reliable," spoke in behalf of that road, and in 
the same strain as Mr. Massey, and expressing the best of good feel- 



History of Atlantic City. 159 

ing towards the new enterprise. Upon the conclusion of his remarks 
Mr. Wood announced that the train was ready to depart, and at 4.15 
the party started on the return trip, which was made inside of ninety 
minutes. 



The Park Bath House and Parlor. 

To Mr. George F. Lee belongs the credit of inaugurating the new 
departure from the old style box bath house. Only a few years since 
there was not a sightly bath house on the entire beach, the belief pre- 
vailing that it would be foolish to risk the capital necessary to put up 
more convenient and creditable structures. Mr. Lee, however, broke 
the custom by an expenditure of many thousands of dollars in building 
a splendid breakwater and the handsome Park Baths. Profiting from 
Mr. Lee's experiment, others began to improve their structures, until 
to-day there are many substantial and creditable buildings along the 
margin of the sea. The Park Bath House spoken of is the most unique 
and perfect establishment of the kind on the coast, and one of the 
leading attractions of Atlantic City. It is situated on the beach be- 
tween Indiana and Illinois avenues. It is especially designed to enable 
those who wish to enjoy the invigorating and healtliful infiuences of 
simshine and sea air with its full benefit without incurring the risk of 
exposure to the weather. It is also a luxurious resort f(jr those who 
indulge in surf bathing, as they will here find every convenience to 
enable them to enjoy it in the most perfect form. 

The building immediately adjoins the permanent plank walk, and 
covers an area of sixty-two by one hundred and sixty feet. It is two 
stories in height, the second fioor being occupied by the parlor and 
gentlemen's rooms. The whole is surrounded by ab road, roofed piazza, 
enclosed as a sun parlor, commanding a magnificent view of the 
ocean. The parlor is twenty-seven by forty-four feet, with a lofty, 
arched ceiling, is handsomely furnished, and supplied with various 
means of innocent amusement, such as chess, chequers, etc. Adjoin- 
ing rooms for gentlemen are supplied with newspaper files, etc. The 
whole building is gas-lighted, and in cool weatlier properly heated. 
The regulations are such that ladies and children may enjoy the privi- 
leges of the establishment, free from all possibility of annoyance. 

The ground fioor contains the office, ladies' waiting and robe- 
room, news and segar stand, shell store, etc., and bath house apart- 
ments, comprising one hundred and sixteen separate dressing rooms, 
laundry, fresh water shower baths, after sea baths, etc., opening upon 
wide intersecting halls. These rooms, together with bathing robes 
are rented for transient use, or by the week or season at very moderate 
prices. Competent attendants are always in waiting, and a place of 



IGU 



History of Atlantic City. 



safe deposit for valuables, cloak room, etc., is provided. Especial 
attention is given to keeping tlie robes, towels, etc., in a state of the 
most perfect cleanliness, and the arrangements generally are of the 
most complete description to secure the comfort of the guests. Tele- 
phone connection with the principal hotels and cottages, and conven- 
ience for writing and mailin? letters are provided for the use of guests. 
This is empliatically one of the institutions of Atlantic City, and no 
visitors, Iiowever transient their stay, should fail to become acquainted 
with its uwnifold attractions. 










MS'^in 







f|ill|i|iii|.ig^i«i|jj'|j^^^ 




CONCiUKSS HALL 



The buildings are admirably located, being surrounded by several 
acres of grass lawns, something unusual at the seashore. 

Fronting on the beach is a large pavilion and plot of the beach 
raised above tlie ordinary high water, where the guest can take solid 
comfort sitting on the sand with back rest and rug, or on a rocker, 
with large tent-like umbrellas, or under roof of the pavilion, the surf 
breaking at their very feet, still in perfect safety, the Avhole effect 
being as if on the bow of a ship on mid ocean. The scene on a fair 
day ])resents a fine picture— the various social groups and families- 
covering the beach with the colored umbrellas. Pay it a visit ; you 
will not be disappointed. 



History of Atlantic City. 161 

Building Associations. 

Tlie Atlantic City Loan and ]3uilding Association Avas organized in 
• Bye's Hal], .January lUtli, 18(59, by the election of Edward Wilson, 
President ; Henry Wootton, Treasurer ; Dr. T. K. Reed, Secretary ; 
and Edward Wilson, Jos. A. Barstow, Wm. G. Bartlett, Geo. F. Cur- 
rie, Thomas Daly, Directors. Seventy-four persons signed the Con- 
stitution, taking, in the aggregate, two hundred and thirty one shares 
of stock. 

The People's Building and Loan Association was organized in the 
City Hall, on the evening of March 1st, 1884, by the election of the 
following officers : President, Charles E. Adams : Vice-President, 
Allen B. Endicott ; Secretary, Albert W. Irving ; Treasurer, Levi C. 
Albertson ; Solicitor, Joseph Thompson. Directors : William G. 
Bartlett, Wesley Robinson, A. L. English, Franklin V. Cook, Thomas 
C. Garrett, Charles W. Maxwell, Charles J. Dougherty, .John B. 
Champion, Louis Keuhnle. Jr. Auditors : Charles E. Schroeder, 
Francis P. Quigley, Henry R. Albertson. 



Hon. .John L. Bryant. 

Mr. Bryant died in this city, after a brief illness, on the 8th of 
October, 1883, aged 39 years. He left a wife, a son nine years of age, 
a mother aged 77, and four sisters. Probably there never was in the 
history of the place a more touching, a more impressive testimonial of 
public grief and affection paid any citizen than that given John I^. 
Bryant — big-hearted, impulsive, progressive John. He was a splendid 
type of the self-made man. He never had the adventitious aids of 
schools, and was obliged to acquire his knowledge by diligent study 
after working hours. He came to this island when an infant, thirty- 
nine years ago, long before the advent of schools. From an humble 
bay -boy he became a leader among his fellow-citizens. From a bay- 
boy to a carpenter's apprentice he became one of tlie most extensive 
builders of this place. He grew with Atlantic City, keeping pace with 
every advancement — always conspicuous in the front rank. His love 
of mankind was one of the qualities of his heart. He was identified 
with every advancement of the city, and was an earnest and eloquent 
defender of its name and fame. He became proprietor of the Ashland 
House in 1872, and proprietor of the Waverly in 1877. Was elected a 
member of Council in the years 1868, 1875, and 1880. Was appointed 
member of the Board of Health in 1880, which position he held at the 
time of his death. Elected Vice-President of the Atlantic Hose Com- 
pany in 1883. In the Fall of 1882, he was elected a member of tlie 



162 History of Atlantic City. 

House of Assembly by an overwhelming majority. He was one of 
the most useful of members in committee ; while on the floor he was 
active, aggressive, and at times eloquent. 

He was elected Mayor in 1H79, and made an excellent executive 
olHcer. Atlantic City lost a great spirit and foremost citizen when Jno. 
L. Bryant, in the prime of his manhood, went 

" From our midst like a Iteantiful dream, 
Swift as a shadow that floats o'er the stream, 
Shedding its halo softened with light; 
Free from earth's sorrow and free from its blight." 



The Ocean Piers. 

In 1881, Col. Howard extended into the sea the first pier ever 
built on the Atlantic City beach. The opening Avas celebrated on 
-Tuly 12, 18S2. This pier, which was 050 feet long, was destroyed by 
a storm-tide in September, 1882, The following winter and sjtringthe 
Colonel built another pier 856 feet long, with three large and hand- 
some pavilions. The two outer pavilions were wrecked and washed 
away on the ninth of January, 1884, the vessel Robt. Morgan colliding 
with it before she stranded on that night. A large pavilion was built 
on the remaining portion of the pier, and was open during the sum- 
mer of '84. 

Mr. Applegate, the photographer, built the second ocean pier du- 
ring the winters of '83-'84, placing it at the accommodation of the 
public, on .June 1st, 1884. It is 025 feet loner, and is a substantial 
"double decker," isfinished artistically, and can seat comfortably about 
10,000 people. 



The Sewerage Orbinan( e. 

Council, on the third of September, 1883, passed an ordinance 
granting the "Improved Sewerage and Sewage Utilization Company," 
a corporation duly organized pursuant to the laws of the State of Xew 
York, the right to lay pipes beneath tlie surface of the streets, avenues 
and alleys of Atlantic City, for the purpose of providing a system of 
drainage. The system specified in the ordinance is known as the 
" West Patent." One of the provisions is that "at all times the pipes 
shall be of a size and strength suflicient to furnish a thorough, eflicient 
and continuous conduit for the drainage of all house slops, water- 
closet products, bath-tul) water and all water that maybe necessary to 



History of Atlantic City. 



163 



drain and keep dry all cellars now made or hereafter to be made in said 
city; that said company shall at all times cause said slops, products and 
waters to be thoroughly, efficiently and continuously removed through 
said pipes from the limits of said city so rapidly as the best mechanical 
devices will admit ; that all such pipes shall be of a strength not less 
than those best made and called "best salt-glazed vitrified clay pipes," 
and that all such pipe shall be tested and shall stand a test of at least 
ten pounds pressure to the square inch, and that none other shall be 
used ; the size of the main pipes shall be not less than nine inches in- 
side diameter, and that all pipes from the said mains to curb lines shall 




SENATE HOUSE — H. B. COOK & SOX, PROPKIETORS. 



be not less than six inches inside diameter, that none of the pipes so 
laid shall be less than five feet below the average natural surface of the 
ground immediately over and around said pipes." 

The gentlemen comprising this company are : — President, W. 
Scott West; Vice President, H. M. F. Randolph; Secretary and Trea- 
surer, H. P. Remboth; Directors, the officers named and J. S. Hackett, 
Jno. J. Murphy, A. M. Jordan, E. R. Dodge. 



Formation of a Yachtjian's Association. 

The summer of '83 was marked by so many disturbances at the 
inlet, "caused by "barkers," that on several occasions an extra force 
of police was assigned to that quarter by the police department. For 



1G4 History of Atlantic City. 



the sake of preserving order and retaining the contidence of the i)eople, 
the better and more reliable class of yachtmen organized an associa- 
tion, which had the effect of quelling all disturbances and restoring 
peace and quiet. The following extract from the minute book of the 
Association will explain the object of the Association : 

Pursuant to the order of Andrew Snee, Chairman of last meeting, 
the yachtmen of the Little Wharf Association met at Smith's Inlet 
House. The meeting was called to order by Thomas Horner. An- 
drew Snee was elected President, and I. S. Conover, Secretary. 

•The following resolutions were adopted : 

Eesohed, That all new boats not before having stock in the wharf 
known as the Little Wharf, be prohibited from the use of the same 
except they be accepted by a two-third vote of the Association. 

Besolved, That each and every member of this Association shall 
be duly bound to use with the utmost respect all parties with whom 
he may have dealings of any kind. And upon complaint being brought 
before this Association of any member acting in an ungentleman-like 
manner to a stranger, and the charge be sustained, the meml)er so 
offending shall be expelled. 



Citizens" Association. 

In November, 1883, a number of citizens met at the Merchants 
House, on New York avenue, and organized under the name of the 
Atlantic City Citizens' Association. R. B. Leeds was elected Presi- 
dent; Henry L. Elder, Vice-President ; Thomas McGuire, Secretary ; 
and Wm. Postoll, Treasurer. One of the objects of the Association 
was to investigate certain alleged misuse of the city's money by nu- 
merous city officials, covering a period of several years. Soon after 
organizing, the Association applied to Judge Alfred Reedforan expert 
accountant to investigate the city's accounts. A certaui State act 
provides that when twenty-flve or more freeholders of any city shall 
make affidavit that in their belief moneys of said city have been or are 
being unlawfully expended, the Judge may at his discretion appoint 
an expert to examine. Tliere were tiiirty-three signatures to the affi- 
davit mentioned, bearing date December 13th, 1883, whereupon the 
Judge granted a rule in Supreme Court, returnable in Camden, Janu- 
ary 12th, 1SS4. A copy of this rule and order was served on City 
Treasurer Leeds and City Council. On the l'2th of January, on motion 
of James B. Nixon, Esq., counsel for the Association, Charles G. 
Garrison, Esq., was appointed to examine into the alleged unlawful 
and corrupt expenditures of money. Mr. Garrison began to take tes- 
timony at stated periods, until June 13th, when the last charges were 
preferred. In April, ex-Sheriff Garrison, of Gloucester county, was 



HistoAy of Atlantic City. 165 



appointed expert bookkeeper, to make a tabulated statement uf the 
city's accounts. A report of the investigations by the experts had not 
been made public up to the time of the publication of this book. Be- 
fore the appointment of Mr. Garrison by Judge Reed, Council had 
appointed Chas. C. Adams, S. R. Morse, and Smith Conover, a com- 
mittee to investigate the city's financial accounts. Following is a 
vcrhatim copy of the affidavit by the Citizens' Association : 

Thirty-three persons of full age being duly sworn on their respec- 
tive oaths do say : That they are residents of Atlantic City, N. J. 
That they are freeholders, have paid taxes on real estate in said city 
within one year last past, and that they have cause to believe and do 
believe, that the moneys of said Atlantic City are being and have been 
unlawfully and corruptly expended, and that they most respectfully 
present to the Hon. Alfred Reed, a Justice of the Supreme Court of 
said State, this affadavit to the end that he may make a summary 
investigation into the affairs of said county and municipal expenditures, 
under an Act approved February 1)^, 1879, and a supplement thereto 
approved March 15, 1881. 

The affidavit was signed by the following named persons : E. U. 
Hall, H. L. Elder, Lewis Repp, Enoch B. Scull, Geo. Hayday, Sr., 
Geo. W. Hinkle, Thos. McGuire, Wm. Postol, John Harrold, Josiah 
B. Johnson, Chas. J. Dougherty, Wm. Bartlett, N. L. Fowler, Wm. 
Chadwick, X. L. Folwer, Chas. Burkhardt, Thos. Brady, Jas. Somers, 
Jas. Gormly, F. Dorman, Geo. Myers, E. M, .Johnson, Geo. Fisher, J. 
G. Schafer, R. E. Winslow, John McCullough, Joel R. Leeds, .John 
Godbou, Thos. Hudson, A. M. Wright, Adolph Buckow, P. J. Hughes, 
Thos. Daily, Thos. McGuire, No. 2. 



The Mercer Home. 

This admirable institution was formally opened to patients on 
the 16th of August, 1884. It is situated at the corner of Pacific and 
Ohio avenues, with a frontage of 122 feet, and a depth of 62 feet. It 
has a basement floor a foot above the ground, and three stories and 
an attic. In the basement are the servants' rooms, pantry, kitchen, 
laundry, store rooms, coal-bins and trunk rooms. On the first fioor 
are the parlors, a library and waiting rooms, the main office, phy- 
sicians' room, laboratory, bath rooms, dining room, clothes room, 
and sixteen sleeping rooms. On the second floor there is a dining 
room, pantry, bath-rooms, two linen rooms, three sitting rooms, the 
matron's rooms, and eighteen sleeping rooms. On the thii'd floor are 
bath rooms, two linen rooms, three sitting rooms, and twenty-four 



16() History of Atlantic City. 

sleeping rooms. Tlie most of the fifty-eight sleeping rooms throughout 
the building are intended to be single rooms, but many of them could 
be used by two patients if necessary. 

It has been constructed througli the bounty of Mrs. J. C. Mercer, 
of Philadelphia, Avho, during a short visit to Atlantic City, in the sum- 
mer of 1883, became deeply interested in the Home for Invalid Women, 
which ^^'as then in very cramped quarters in a small cottage on Ohio 
avenue. She made a generous donation of $32,000, which was appro- 
priated to the building of the new and commodious house. Dr. Wm. 
H. Bennett is the physician in charge, and Dr. Boardman Reed is the 
visiting physician during the Spring and Fall months. Four dollars 
a week is the moderate price for a room, board and all the con- 
veniences of the house, but it is necessary for applicants for admission 
to present certificates of good character, as well as certificates of ill- 
ness. The opening ceremonies were opened by prayer by Rev. Dr. 
Aikman, followed by a hymn. Dr. Bennett, the physician in charge, 
then gave a brief history of the institution. The Rev. Dr. Julius C. 
Grammer. of St. Peter's Church, Baltimore, made an address, paying 
a high tribute to the liberality of Mrs. Mercer. The Rev. Dr. Dale, 
missionary to Syria, also made a brief address. The ceremonies closed 
with a benediction by the Rev. Mr. Saul. There were about 500 per- 
sons present. The Home is named in honor of Mrs. Mercer's husband, 
who is deceased. 



Justk Es OF the Peace. 

Edward Reiley was Atlantic City's first justice of the peace. He 
was elected in November, 1877, but resigned after having served two 

years. 

William Hawk was elected in 1S70. 

Wm. R. Zern was elected in 1881. 

Albert W. Irving was elected in 1882. 

John Gouldey was elected in 1882. 

The law fixes the term of each justice at five years. 

The first case ever tried before a justice in Atlantic City, was that 
brought by State Fish Commissioner Rider against several fishermen 
charged with violating the lish law. 



Wards and Precixcts. 

In 1865, the city was divided into two wards, but remained so 
only that year. Peimsylvania avenue was the dividing line. In 1880, 
under a general State law the city was divided into two voting pre- 



History of Atlantic City. 



107 



cincts. In 1881, it was apportioned into two wards with two voting 
precincts in each ward. Tennessee avenue is the dividing line between 
the two wards. 



HiGBEE Road and Inlet Drive. 

Higbee road, running from Missouri avenue across the meadows 
in a northward direction to a landing on Beach Thoroughfare 
was built in 1873. It is named in honor of Mr. Jonas Higbee, a highly 
respected citizen who has resided here for more than a quarter of a 
century. 

The new Inlet road, running from New Hampshire avenue to the 
Inlet, was built in 1881, and cost the city 1700. 



Total Nu3Iber of Votes Polled. 

Following is the total number of votes polled at each election 
since the incorporation of the city, save the first election on May 1st, 
of which there is nothing on record to show the number of votes cast. 
Old residents, however, put the number at 18. The same may be said 
of the election held November 1st of that year 

November, 1855, 49 votes. 

" 1856, 73 . " 



1857, 
1858, 
1859, 
1860, 
1861, 
1802, 
1803, 



In 1864, an election was held on the 9th of March, only for the 
purpose of electing Judge of Election and 
March, 1865, (two wards) 
Nov., 1866, . 
1807, . 



1808, 
1809, 
1870, 
1871, 
1872, 
1873, 
1874, 
1875, 



ii 
93 
112 
119 
130 
122 
121 



Trustees of Public School. 
80 votes. 
136 " 
187 '' 
170 '• 
170 '• 
201 " 
232 '^ 
279 " 
310 " 
305 '^ 
458 " 



108 



History of Atlantic City. 



Nov. 


1876, . . . . 




1877, . . . . 




1878, . . . . 




1879, . . . . 




1880, . . . . 




1881, . . . . 




1882, . . . . 




1883, . . . . 



549 votes 


618 


'■■ 


720 


'■ 


845 


•'■ 


1224 


ii. 


1325 


a 


1485 


11 



In January, 1865, Councilman Xote resigned, and Lemuel Eld- 
ridge was elected to fill the vacancy. 

On the 31st March, 1879, Alderman Eldridge resigned, and Dr. F. 
B. Lippincott was elected to fill vacancy. 

In 1882, Councilman Blake resigned, and John Jeffries was 
elected. 

In 1870, Kobt. B. Leeds and James S. Shinn each receiving 97 votes 
for Alderman, Council ignored both and elected J. Henry Hayes. 
In this same year C. W. Tompkins and Thos. Blddle receiving 101 
votes each, Jacob Keim was elected by Council. 



Religious Exercises on the Beach. 



To Mrs. Williams, proprietress of the "Victoria," is due very 
great praise for providing a place for Sunday worship on the beach. 
This lady became impressed with the belief that religious services on 
the beach would be the cause of great good, and would bring under 
the ministry of the gospel every Sabbath, hundreds of people who 
otherwise would attend no place of worship. She could not afford to 
put up a building to be devoted exclusively for this laudable purpose, 
but in the Spring of 18S4she put up a large, airy structure immediate- 
ly on the beach walk, which she appropriated to the use of a skating 
rink during the week, and to church services on the Sabbath. She 
invited the clergymen of [the various denominations to preach' to the 
people, and soon the rink became the most popular place of worship on 
a Sabbath evening. Many people who seldom entered a church were 
attracted to these services by the sacred music which greeted them as 
they passed by. (freat good has been accomplished, and it is hoped 
other property holders on the beach front will emulate the praise- 
worthy example of Mrs. Williams. 



History of Atlajstic City. 169 

City Officials from ISM to and Including 1883. 

1854 (May)— Mayor, Chalkley S. Leeds ; City Clerk, Jos. B. Walker ; 
Recorder, Wm. Neligh ; Alderman, Daniel Rhodes ; Council, 
Steelman Leeds, William Neligh, James Leeds, Richard Hack- 
ett, John Leeds, Ryan Adams ; Tieasurer, Robert B. Leeds. 

1854 (Nov.)— Mayor, Chalkey 8. Leeds ; City Clerk, Thos. C. Garrett; 
Recorder, Maurice Sanders ; Alderman, Daniel I. Rhodes ; 
Council, Richard Ilaekett, Steelman Leeds, Richard C. Sou- 
der, John Leeds, Ryan Adams, Robert B. Leeds ; Treasurer, 
Robert B. Leeds. 

1855 — Mayor, Chalkley S. Leeds ; City Clerk, John T. Andrews ; Re- 
corder, Robert B. Leeds ; Alderman, Robert T. Evard ; Council, 
Richard Hackett, Mannasah McClees, Smith Grey, Thomas C. 
Garrett, Samuel Adams, Ryan Adams ; Treasurer, Robert B. 
Leeds. 

1856 — Mayor, J. G. W. Avery ; City Clerk, Thomas C. Garrett ; Re- 
corder, Wm. W. Carter ; Alderman, B. C. Danning ; Council, 
C. S. Leeds, M, McClees, S. Adams, A. Turner, T. H. Bedloe, 
Ryan Adams ; Treasurer, Smith Grey. 

1857 — Mayor, J. G. W. Avery ; City Clerk, Thomas C. Garrett ; Re- 
corder, William M. Carter ; Alderman, Joshua Note ; Council, 
C. S. Leeds, J. A. Barstow, S. Adams, Ryan Adams, Augustus 
Turner ; Treasurer, Wm. M. Carter. 

1858 — Mayor, Dr. Lewis Reed ; City Clerk, Thomas C . (iarrett ; Re- 
corder, R. C. Souder ; Alderman, Jacob Middleton ; Council, 
Wm. Conover, C. S. Leeds, Lemuel Eldridge, R. T. Evard, 
Robert B. Leeds ; Treasurer, Lemuel Eldridge. 

1859 — Mayor, Dr. Lewis Reed; City Clerk, Thomas C. Garrett; Re- 
corder, Smith Grey ; vVlderman, Jacob Middleton ; Council, 
Wm. Conover, C. S. Leeds, Lemuel Eldridge, John Smick, 
R. T. Evard; Treasurer, Lemuel Eldridge. 

1860 — Mayor, Dr. Lewis Reed; City Clerk, G. S. Varney;| Recorder, 
Michael Lawlor; Alderman, Wm. Souder; Council, Thos. H. 
Bedloe, Wm, Adams, Ryan i'ldams, C. S. Leeds, Amasa 
Bowen; Treasurer, C. S. Leeds. 

1861— Mayor, Dr. Lewis Reed ; City Clerk, E. S. Reed ; Recorder, 
Absalom Westcott ; Alderman, Wm. Zern ; Council, C. S. 
Leeds ; Amos Bullock, R. T. Evard, Joshua Note, Jos. A. 
Barstow; Treasurer, John McClees. 

1862— Mayor, Chalkley S. Leedf-; City Clerk, E. S. Reed; Recorder, 
William S. Carter ; Alderman, William Zern; Council, Irving 
Lee, Thomas Morris, Lemuel Eldridge, R. T. Evard, Jos. A. 
Barstow; Treasurer, John McClees. 



170 History of Atlantic City. 

1863 — Mayor, Jacob Middleton ; City Clerk, E. S. Reed; Recorder, 
William S. Carter ; Alderman, Michael Horner ; Council, Jeth- 
ro V. Albertson, Jeremiah Adams, Lemuel Eldridge, Joseph A. 
Barstow, Joshua Xote, John Hamman ; Treasurer, Jacob Keim. 

1865— Mayor, Robert T. Evard : City Clerk, E. S. Reed ; Recorder, 
"VVm. S. Carter; Alderman, R. B. Leeds; Council, Joseph A. 
Barstow, Henry Wootton, Jeremiah Adams, Richard Ilackett, 
Amos Bullock, Irving Lee ; Treasurer, Joseph A. Barstow, 

1866— Mayor, David W. Belisle ; City Clerk, E. S, Reed ; Recorder, 
Wm, S. Carter ; Alderman, R, B, Leeds ; Council, Jacob 
Keim, Dr, Lewis Reed, Henry Wootton, R. T. Evard, Eli S. 
Amole, Silas R. Morse ; Treasurer, Richard Hackett, 

1867 — Mayor, David W. Belisle ; City Clerk, E, S. Reed ; Recorder, 
William S. Carter ; Alderman, Jacob Middleton ; Council, Si- 
las R. Morse, Chalkley S. Leeds, Joseph H. Borton, Jas, A. 
Barstow, Jos. Shinnen, R. T, Evard ; Treasurer, Jonas Higbee. 

1868 — Maj^or, John J, Gardner ; City Cleik, Lewis Evans ; Recorder, 
William S, Carter ; Alderman, Edmund S. Westcott ; Council, 
Joseph H. Borton, Joseph T, i!^ote, Lemuel Eldridge, Amos 
Bullock, John L. Biyant, Robert T, Evard ; Treasurer, Jonas 
Higbee, 

1809 — Mayor, John J. Gardner ; City Clerk, Lewis Evans ; Recorder, 
Robert B. Leeds ; Alderman,- Amos Bullock ; Council, Lemuel 
Eldridge, Irving Lee, Joseph II. Borton, Joshua Note, Joseph 
A, Barstow, John Gouldey ; Treasurer, Jonas Higbee. 

1870 — Mayor, John J. Gardner ; City Clerk, Lewis Evans ; Recorder, 
Chalkley S. Leeds ; Alderman, J. Henry Hayes, elected by City 
Council, 'Nov. 29th, 1870, as R. B. Leeds and Jas. Shinn each 
received 97 votes ; Council, Levi C. Albertson, Jos. A. Baratow, 
Geo. F. Currie, Irving Lee, Paul Wootton, Jacob Keim was 
elected by City Council, Nov. 29th, 1870 ; (^lalkley W. Tomp- 
kins and Thos. Bedloe each received 101 votes ; Treasurer, 
Chalkley S. Leeds. 

1871— Mayor, John J. Gardner ; City Clerk, Andrew AV. Tompkins ; 
Recorder, Chalkley S. Leeds ; Alderman, James 8. 8hinn ; 
Council, John Gouldey, Edward Wilson, Jonathan R. Doughty, 
Thomas E. French, Alois Schauller, Eliakim Conover ; Treasu- 
rer, Chalkley S. Leeds. 
1872— Mayor, John J. Gardner ; City Clerk, .los. T. Note ; Recorder, 
Jacob Middleton; Alderman, Hugh II. Y. Wicks ; (council, 
James Ryder, Franklin ]i. l>ippin('ott, John Ilarrold, Thomas 
E. French, Geo. C. Bryant, Tlu)nias C Carrett ; Treasurer, 
Chalkley S. Leeds. 



History of Atlantic City. 171 



1873— Mayor, Dr. Chas. Soiider ; City Clerk, Lewis Evans ; Record- 
er, Jacob Middleton ; Alderman, Hugh H. Y. Wicks ; Council, 
Geo. F. Currie, George A ndeisoii, Joseyh A. B.irstow, Richard 
Hackett, Richard Turner, J. Henry Hayes ; Treasurer, Chalk- 
ley S. Leeds. 

1874— Mayor. John J. Gardner; City Clerk, Joseph T, Note; Recorder, 
Jacob Middleton; Alderman, Edward B. Reilly; Council, James 
S. Shinn, Jonas Higbee, Eli M. Johnson, Edward Wilson, Thos. 
E. French, Lewis Repp; Treasurer, Chalkley S. Leeds. 

1875— Mayor, John J. Gardner; City Clerk, A. M. Bailey; Recorder, 
Jacob Middleton; Alderman, Dr. Lewis Reed; Council, Joseph 
T. Note, Henry Wootten, Paul Wootten, Jonas Higbee, Hugh 
H. Y. Wicks, Jos. A Barstow, John L. Bryant, Thos. E. 
French, R. T. Evard; Treasurer. Chalkley S. Leeds. 

187G— Mayor, Dr. Willard AVright; City Jlerk, James Godfrey; Re- 
corder, Jacob Middleton; Alderman, Edmund I. Lake; Council, 
Geo. F. Currie, John Ilamman, Elias Wright, W. A. Mitchell, 
John J. Gardner, Jonathan R. Doughty, Wm. Hawk, Joseph T. 
Note, Wm. Mann; Treasurer, Chalkley S. Leeds. 

1877— Mayor, Willard Wright; City Clerk, Edward A. Quigley; Re- 
corder, Jacob Middleton; Alderman, Joseph Shinn; Council, 
Chas. W. Maxwell, T. A. Byrnes, J. R. Doughty, John Har- 
rold, J. H. Mason, Geo. W. Hinkle, Jos. A. Barstow, Eli'M. 
Johnson, James S. Shinn; Treasurer, Chalkley S. Leeds. 

1878— Mayor, John L. Bryant; City Cherk, Enoch S. Conover; Re- 
corder, Jacob Middleton; Alderman, Edward Eldridge; Coun- 
cil, Jos. P. Canby, J. R. Doughty, R. T. Evard, Wm. Fulton, 
Geo. W. Holmes, Joel R. Leeds, Chas. W. Maxwell, Lewis 
Reed, Jr., Hugh H. Y. Wicks; Treasurer, Chalkley S. Leeds. 

1S79— Mayor, Willard Wright ; City Clerk, Jas. Harrold ; Alderman, 
Francis P. Qxiigley ; Recorder, Nathaniel Webb ; Council, T, A. 
Byrnes; R. T. Evard, Wesley Robinson, Geo. Hayday, Sr., 
Eli M. Johnson, Thomas C. Fiench, J. B. Champion, J. R. 
Doughty, Enoch B. Scull ; Treasurer, Chalkley S. Leeds. 

1880 — Mayor. Harry L. Slape ; City Clerk, Enoch S. Conover ; Alder- 
man, Jas. Stokes ; Recorder, Jas. Kitchens ; Council, John C. 
Albertson, Jos. A. Barstow, Jos. H. Borton, John L. Bryant, 
Geo. F. Currie, Wm. Eldridge, Chas. Evans, Chas. W. Max- 
well, Simon L. Westcott ; Treasurer, Chalkley S. Leeds. 

lB81-Mayor, Willard Wright ; City Clerk, Henry R. Albertson ; Re- 
corder, James IHtchens ; Alderman, Jas. Stokes; Council, 
John C. Albertson, Wm. H. Aikin, John B. Champion, Eli M. 
Johnson, Jos. R. Canby, Chas. W. Maxwell, Henry Wootton 
Franklin P. Cook, AVesley Robinson ; Treasurer, Chalkley S. 
Leeds. 



J 72 ■ History of Atlantic City. 

1882— Mayor, Charles W. Maxwell ; City Clerk, Henry E. Albertson ; 
Recorder, John Gouldey; Alderman, James S. Endicott ; Council, 
John Hamman, Franklin P. Cook, John L. Baier, Jr., Frank 
Barber, Henry Wootton, John E. Blake, Wesley Robinson, VVm. 
Aikin ; Treasurer, Chalkley S. Leeds. 

1883— Mayor, Charles W. Maxwell ; City Clerk, Henry R. Albertson ; 
Recorder, James Hitchens ; Alderman, Jacob Leedom ; Council, 
William L. Adams, Joseph A. Barstow, Francis Barnett, Henry 
N. Bolte, Franklin P. Cook, George F. Currie, John B. Cham- 
pion, Wesley Robinson, George B. Zane ; Treasurer, Chalkley S. 
Leeds. 



The Earthquake. 

A series of three mysterious shocks were felt in Atlantic City a 
few minutes after 2 o'clock, on Sunday, August 10, 1884, which had 
all the sj mptoms of an earthquake. Great alarm was occasioned to 
many visitors. Inquiries were general concerning the phenomenon, 
in the belief that it resulted from an explosion. The people of the 
larger boarding houses were dining, and were startled at the rattling of 
dishes and a shaking of the tables. At the lighthouse the shock startled 
Ma^or Wolf, the keeper, jolting a desk at which he was writing. The 
house of Senator Gardner was perceptibly shaken, and Conductor 
Bartlett, of the Camden & Atlantic Railroad, w^as nearly jostled out 
of his chair. Many lamp-chimneys were broken. People ran out of 
doors in consternation. Buildings trembled, and the earth seemed to 
move. The commotion lasted for about eight seconds. 



ATLANTIC CITY IN SUMMER. 

"Good-bye to pain and cart; ! I take 

Mine ease to-day ; 
Here where these sunny waters break, 
And ripples this keen breeze, I shake 

All burdens from my heart— all weary thoughts away." 

Herbert Spencer, in his after dinner speech at the New Yorkban- 
(luet said : " AVe have had soniewhat loo much of the gospel of work. 
It is time to preach the gospel of relaxation." 

Looking all around us upon this high pressure of American life, 
we cannot but be convinced of the truth of these words. The editor of 
the Popular Science Monthly^ commenting upon some objections and 



History of Atlantic City. 173 

misapprehensions which were raised regarding this speech, says : "Mr. 
Spencer did not so much condemn strenuous work, in which, indeed, he 
believes, as the lack of compensating recreations to countervail its 
mischievous effects." And again, " he has proved the value of recrea- 
tion as tributary, not only to length of life, but to the perfection of 
work." 

We all know that to repair the exhaustion of nerve and brain to 
which people of active intellects are every day subjected, there is no 
cure but absolute rest. And rest does not merely mean a cessation of 
work, but a diversion of the mind into new and pleasant channels. 
This can be most successfully accomplished by a return to Nature, and 
a complete surrender of one's self to her kindly ministrations. 

It is not time wasted to loll around at the sea-shore. It is really a 
repairing and oiling of the human machinery, necessary to the bet- 
ter future accomplishment of work. The superior man is the one who 
makes the best use of his natural forces ; the inferior person uses up 
his vitality in the shortest space of time. If, therefore, the brain- 
workers can find for themselves rest and recreation during the months 
of June, July and August, thus renewing the chief forces of life, the 
whole community, directly or indirectly, gains thereby. To accom- 
plish this result there are many ways, but none more efficient than a 
trip to Atlantic City. It is astonishing how completely carping cares 
are left behind as soon as we strike the atmosphere of ^this haven of rest. 
We seem to cut loose from all woiries and anxieties, and to be drifting 
out from the sight and sound of all reminders of the office, study, 
workshop, or household. 

''In what Arcadian, what Eutopian ground 
Are warmer hearts or manlier feelings found, 
More hospitable welcome or more zeal 
To make the curious, tarrying stranger feel 
That, next to home, here best may he abide. 
To rest and cheer him, by the flowing tide?" 

In addition to nature, art has done much for Atlantic City. Its 
hotels are large, numerous, and many of them fine examples of the 
light and airy architecture that prevails at watering places, while the 
spires and belfrys of thirteen handsome churches rise like sentinels 
from as many parts of the island. But the chief glory of Atlantic City, 
and, in the eyes of many, its greatest charm, is the number and beauty 
of its private cottages. These number many hundreds — very nearly 
a thousand — and, on the greater portion, good taste and ample means 
have been lavished with the best results. But the variety is almost 
infinite, and stretches from the mansion to the most modest little 
house, and includes elegance, picturesqueness, and comfort. 

As has already been said, it is a beautiful city in fact as well as 
in name, and the nomenclature of the streets is especially happy. 
The great main avenues running parallel with the ocean, five hundred 



174 History of Atlantic City. 

and fifty feet apart, have a breezy suggestiveness of coolness and com- 
fort in their titles— Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic, while the wide thor- 
oughfares that cross them at right angles, bearing the names of the 
!?tates of the Union, are full of patriotic thought. 

The permanent population of Atlantic City must now be over 
seven thousand, and the transient population during the season is 
often seven or eight times that number. The general aspect of the 
city is permanence, solidity and elegance. The hotels are large and 
numerous, and many of them are fine examples of villa and suburban 
architect lu-e. • During the last year or two, and since the general de- 
velopment of the taste for decoration, their proprietors and owners 
have indulged in a generous competition for bright colors and pleasing 
effects, and there is now scarcely a dingy looking house on the island. 
The churches are numerous, and several of them are handsome speci- 
mens of the builder's art. 

The secret of the great popularity of Atlantic City, however, is 
the salubrity of its climate. It is not only a pleasure but a health 
resort as well. Invalids and convalescents suffering from diseases of 
W'hich it is most difficult to obtain relief,come here in mid-summer and 
undergo a recuperation that is wonderful. There seems to be some- 
thing in the very atmosphere— something that is hostile to physical 
debility, and a knowledge of the fact is rapidly becoming widespread 
through the multiplicity of proofs that are continually being given. 

The x^leasures of surf-bathing carry, of course, a great multitude 
to Atlantic City, and it is probable that more bathers are to be found 
every day on its long stretch of beach than at all the other New Jer- 
sey coast resorts together. At the fashionable hours of bathing, mile 
after mile of beach is crowded with thousands of merry bathers, whose 
shouts and laughter mingle with the roar of the surf, while the popu- 
lar "ocean promenade," or as it is called the ''board-walk," is 
lined by a throng of gay promenaders. The scene at this time is as 
animated as the streets of an old world city on n/ete day. The walk, 
which is smooth, and entirely free from dust, extends along the entire 
city front, following the beach just above high water-mark. On a 
moonlight evening, when the beach is filled with equipages, and the 
promenade vocal from end to end with the murmur of happy laughter 
and plensant communion, then, indeed, Atlantic City presents a pic- 
ture of delightful existence, fairer than any vision of a midsummer 
night's dream. 

" As 11 pale phiuitom with a hinii) 

Ai^ceiKl^ some ruin's haunted stair, 
So fjliclesthe moon along the clamp 

Mysterious chamber of the air. 

Tntil at last serene and proud 

In all the splendor of her light, 
i>he walks the terraces f)f cloud 

Supreme as Empress ot the Niglil."" 



History of Atlantic City 



The Inlet, which is one of the most popular points on the Island, 
and boasts of a handsome pavilion, is the favorite of lovers of those 
twin sports, yachting and lisliing. A large fleet of handsome yachts is 
always riding at anchor in waiting for parties desirous of a sail over 
the bright waters, or of indulging in tliat exciting sport, deep sea fish- 
ing. The water is fairly alive with game fish— such as sea-bass, floun- 
der, weak fish, king fish, porgies, croakers, snapping mackerel, blue 
fish, and kindred varieties. The most delicious oysters are to be had 
here, fresh from their native beds, ;ind witli an appetizing flavor unknown 
to one who has never eaten tliem before the moss on tlieir shells is dry. 
The thoroughfare, which is as smooth a piece of water as a mountain- 
stocked lake, with many pictures(iue surroundings, is another favorite 
resort, especially of the ladies. It abounds in crabs, which are 
caught in gieat numbers. 

In addition to the customary weekly hops or balls at the principal 
hotels, the city is visited during the season by some of the best talent 
in music, and concerts and other entertainments are frequently given. 
These, in connection with the varied and ever-recurring pleasures 
natural to this resort, present a constant round of enjoyment. A fea- 
ture of Atlantic is the open air concert gardens. One at first thought 
would not perhaps class these institutions as special attractions, but 
the standard at which they are held elsewhere, must not be judged by 
w^hat they may be regarded here. They are conducted with order and 
decorum. Many people who never venture into them at home visit 
them in the cool of the evening here, and enjoy the excellent music 
which is provided. Solid business men of irreproachable reputation, 
distinguished people from all parts of the country, and church-going 
people are frequently seen in these places. Mr. Alois Schaufler of 
Schaufler's Hotel, opened tlie first and largest place of this kind, fol- 
lowed by Mr. Wm. Albrecht, of Albrecht's first-class hotel. Each 
furnish proper and interesting entertainments, and are managed with 
a strict regard for decency and proper enjoyment. Levy, Arbuckle, 
Hassler and other eminent musicians have at periods been engaged at 
institutions of this kind. 

■ At the lower end of the city the railroad companies have erected 
handsome and capacious hotels especially designed for excursionists. 
They are provided with well-appointed restaurants, pleasant parlors, 
broad piazzas and elegant ball-rooms. Such is the popularity of Atlan- 
tic City that the excursion houses are often engaged in advance of the 
season, by parties who know and prefer this resort to any other within 
reach. 

The city also boasts of street railways, omnibus lines, circulating 
libraries, hot and cold sea-water baths, telephones, electric light, pure 
spring water, gas, fine ocean piers, life guards, government signal sta- 
tions, churches of all denominations, base ball grounds, etc. 



1"6 History OF Atlantic City. 

Atlantic City is overflowing with a iiealth, enterprise, activity and 
vigor, which niarli a new people. It is a life at once buoyant, attrac- 
tive and popular, and draws thousands to enjoy its hospitalities. 



ATLANTIC CITY AS A WINTER RESORT. 

With each recurring year the popularity of winter resorts becomes 
more apparent, and their necessity for health and pleasure more firmly 
established. It is only within recent years that the idea of winter re- 
sorts for the ailing and invalid has been developed and made practi- 
cable, and their beneficial results have been so pronounced that cus- 
tom, fashion, and necessity have united in demanding them for the 
country. The question of a winter resort cannot be discussed without 
considering the peculiar merits of Atlantic City. It is, in itself, a beau- 
tiful and attractive place, and leaves only pleasant impressions upon the 
mind of the stranger during his stay. The streets are clean and whole- 
some. The sanitary condition is excellent, the water supply is abund- 
ant and pure, and the arrangement for guarding against fire, ample 
and efficient. The hotels and boarding-houses, open during the winter, 
are ample in room, and afford every comfort and convenience to the 
guest. It is the even temperature, the mellow atmosphere, and the 
pure sea air, however, which constitute the real worth of Atlantic, 
and gives the place its world-wide reputation as a winter health resort. 

Hot and cold sea-water baths can be indulged in at one's desire, 
the most perfect establishments on the Atlantic coast having been 
erected at this point. Sun-parlors and sun-baths are also in vogue, 
and are both beneficial and popular. 

Atlantic City has been for years a winter health resort. Experi- 
mental at first, the success]of those who ventured, has grown to be a suc- 
cess for the thousands, who, in later years, have trusted themselves or 
their friends to its kindly nourishment and care. The place received 
its greatest impstus in 1^75, when Mr. Crjorge F. Lse built for Mr. 
F. W. Ilelmsley, the Brigliton, prepared especially for winter patrons. 
It was the fust house designed especially for this custom. Mr. Helms- 
ley practically became the pioneer winter proprietor, in a large sense of 
the term, and to the excellent conduct of the Brighton is attributed 
the remarkable success which has attended his efforts. Taking ex- 
ample from Mr. IleUnsley, and noting his success, others began to 
convert their summer houses into comfortable winter homes, until 
there is to-day probably fifty hou'-es suitable for the accommodation of 
winter guests. There are no finer hotels and boarding-houses on the 
American coast than those open in Atlantic City in winter. 



History of Atlantic City. 177 

Physicians of the highest fame and reputation have for years ad- 
vocated Atlantic City, and testified to their faith in its virtues, by 
sending hundreds of patients, experience teaching that sea air is bene- 
ficial in winter as in summer. 

" The splashing waves like iwusie fall 

Kesponsive to their fancy wild, 
A dream conieso'er them like a spell. 

They think they are again a child. 
Thus it is in every stage, 

By toys our fancy is beguiled, 
We gather shells from youth to age. 

And there we leave them like a child." 

With but few exceptions, all the diseases that fiesh is heir to, yield 
to these saline effects and this peculiar climate. Medical evidence 
proves that asthma, bronchitis, phthisis, catarrh and certain lung dis- 
eases are largely and permanently benefited, while in convalesence 
from pneumonia and hybrid fever, patients are rapidly and decidedly 
restored to health. Good digestion, active nutrition, and sound sleep 
restore the nervous system. 

Those who desire to make social pleasure a part of their regimen 
for health, find it here in its most pleasing and varied forms. The 
hotels aie numerous and of accommodating grades and price. It is 
no uncommon thing in winter to witness the better class of houses 
turning guests away for want of room to accommodate them, so 
thoroughly has the tide of winter resort travel set in towards this 
popular city. As an evidence of the appreciation of Atlantic City by 
physicians, we subjoin the following testimonials, selected from about 
four hundred of a similar character. These testimonials were sent to 
Mr. D. M. Zimmerman, Secretary of the Camden and Atlantic Railroad 
Company. It is due to Mr. Zimmerman to say that he has always been 
untiring and enthusiastic in his advocacy of Atlantic City, and that 
its success as a winter resort is in a great measure due to his eff jrts. 
Very active also were Messrs. Jas. B. Dayton, John Lucas, Wm. C. 
Houston, and Hon. A. K. Hay. The testimonials referred to are : 

From K. J. Levis, M. D., 

N. W. corner Walnut and 16th streets, Phila., 

Surgeon to the Pennsylvania Hospital and to the Jefferson 
College Hospital. 

'-I prefer Atlantic City to all other seaside health resorts. For 
the merits, general salubrity and dryness of atmosphere, accessibility, 
and excellent accommodation for patients during the winter and spring 
months, it is elsewhere unequaled on our coast." 



178 History of Atlantic City. 

J. L. T.UDLOw, M. D., 

1001 Chestnut street, Phila. 

" I know Atlantic City from its very origin. ^ly opinion of it as a 
seaside resort, both for pleasure and for health is very high. During 
the summer season the bathing is exhilarating and the air bracing, and 
during the winter and fall seasons, the effect of the air (done, on weak 
and nervous people is wonderful. I have recommended it and am 
doing so constantly to our brain-wearied men, and nervous, delicate 
females, who cannot sleep and have lost their appetites." 



Horatio C. Wood, M. D., 

Professor of Materia ^ledica, University of Pennsylvania. 

"Atlantic City is excellently situated for sanitary purposes, and 
well supplied with good hotels — fitting it for both a summer and Avin- 
ter health resort." 



Bex.i. B. AVii>ox, M. D., 

842 Franklin street, Phila., 

Professor of Surgery, Women's Medical College. 

"Atlantic City presents many and peculiar advantages as a seaside- 
resort. All things considered, it may be said that no point surpasses it 
as a desirable spot for rest and recreation." 



Haiikisox Allex, M. D., 

117 South 20th street, Phila., 

Professor of Physiology, University of Pennsylvania. 

" I have frequently visited Atlantic City, and always with marked 
improvement in my general health. In my judgment it is a great boon 
to Philadelphia to have so fine a seaside sanitarium within such easj^ 
reach. It has doubtless been the means of prolonging many a life, and 
relieving much suffering." 



D. Hayes Aoxkw, M. D., 

Professor of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania. 

" I regard Atlantic City as a valuable health resort." 

Walter. F. Atlee, M. D. 

" I highly approve of sending invalids with certain diseases and 
disturbances to Atlantic City, and am glad often to be able to do so." 



History qf Atlaxtic City. 170 

James Tysox, M. D., 

loOG Spruce street, Pliila. , 

Professor of Pathology, University of Pennsylvania. 

"Atlantic City is among the most favorable situations in this 
country for obtaining the benign effects of sea air." 



Fkaxk Woodbury, M. D., 

Phj'siciau to German Hospital, Phila. 

" I entertain a grateful appreciation of the advantages which At- 
lantic City possesses— grateful from the fact that the life of my oldest 
child, which was threatened by cholera infantum, was saved by his 
removal thereto, he being in a state of exhaustion, approaching col- 
lapse, when he left Pliiladelphia. I have taken advantage of its resto- 
rative qualities, particularly in convalescence, and strongly commend 
the warm salt baths— I have found a wide range of condition benefitted 
by them. I know" of no place of the kind with equal advantages, 
either as a winter or summer resort." 



John H. Packard, M. D., 

1924 Spruce street, Phila. , 

Surgeon to Episcopal Hospital. 
"Atlantic City has in my opinion very great advantages as a win- 
ter health resort. I have been for several years sending patients 
there, especially during the months of February, March and April, to 
their great benefit." 



Joseph Leidy, M. D., 

1302 Filbert street, Phila., 

Prof, of Anatomy, University of Pennsylvania. 
" I am pleased to give my testimony as to the healthfulness of 
Atlantic City as a place of resort. I know of no place better adapted 
to invalids in general." 



Samuel B. Howell, M. D., 

1513 Green street, Phila., 

Dean of Auxiliary Faculty, Medical Department, Uni- 
versity of Pennsylvania. 
" I have several patients who have spent most of the winter in 
Atlantic City with great benefit. Young children sent there have 
improved in health and strength." 



180 History of Atlantic City. 

Wm. G. Porter, M. D., 

314 South 11th street, Phila., 

Surgeon to Presbyterian Hospital. 
" I have always found Atlantic City a health resort of great bene- 
fit to patients suffering from chronic and exhausting diseases, as well 
as to those convalescing from acute disease, or to those who w^ere in 
search of rest, freedom from worry and a chance to recruit." 



Edward Hartshorne, M, D., 

331 South Broad street, Phila. 
" I have found Atlantic City very pleasant and remarkably bene- 
ficial to my patients and myself during the Winter and Spring and 
early Summer months, and I recommend it as a very desirable health 
resort at that time of the year, in preference to more distant places on 
account of its greater accessibility, as well as its very dry, pure air, 
excellent hotel and other advantages." 



W. H. Bennett, M. D., • 

332 South 15th street, Phila., 

Physician to the Children's Seashore Home. 
" I have spent the last five summers at Atlantic City under cir- 
cumstances peculiarly favorable for observing the effects produced 
upon invalids by a short residence there, and I heartily commend the 
salubrity of the place, and its value as a health resort to those broken 
down by over-work, to convalescents, and to a large majority of those 
suffering from chronic diseases." 



James J. Levick, M. D., 

1200 Arch street, Phila. 
" The advantage of having such a sanitarium as Atlantic City in 
the Winter and Spring months cannot, I think, be too highly esti- 
mated. " 



Joseph Klapi', M. D., 

622 Spruce street, Phila., 

Physician to Howard Hospital. 
" I heartily approve of the letter written by Dr. Thomas K. Reed, 
of Atlantic City, calling the attention of health seekers to the superior 
advantages of sea air during the Winter and Spring months, to the 
tedious journey and enervating climate of Florida and other distant 
localities." 



History of Atlantic City. 181 

J, C. Guernsey, M. D., 

Corresponding Secretary, Homceopathic Medical Society of Pa. 
"From the experience both of my patients and myself, I can 
heartily endorse Atlantic City as a most healthful and delightful place 
of resort, for the sick and the well, at all seasons of the year." 



J. V. Shoemaker, M. D., 

1031 Walnut street, Phila., 

Physician in charge of Pennsylvania Free Dispensary. 
" I can cheerfully testify to the beneficial influence exerted upon 
a large class of affections by the uniform temperature and fine air of 
Atlantic City. The facilities for the hot, cold, warm and tepid baths, 
are unsurpassed, and have here given great relief to a large number 
of sufferers whom I have sent there at all seasons of the year." 



Joseph Pancoast, M. D., 

Emeritus Professor of Anatomy, Jefferson Medical College. 
'•If we had not Atlantic City to go to, we should be at a loss to 
know what to do with some of our pulmonary and infantile patients." 



S. D. Risley, M. D., 

1630 Walnut street, Phila., 

Lecturer on Ophthalmoscopy, University of Penna. 
"I have repeatedly witnessed the health restoring influences at 
Atlantic City." 



R. Sargent, M. D., Phila. 

" I have sent more patients to Atlantic City during the past Win- 
ter and Spring than ever before." 



L. K. Stine, M. D., 

1503 North Fourth street, Phila. 
" After an experience of several years I consider Atlantic City one 
of the healthiest summer resorts for the cure of paralysis, rheumatism 
and nervous diseases generally." 



1- 



Hl-TOET OF ATLA>"riC CiTY. 



B. F. Betts. M. I). 

" After a careful personal inspection of many of the health resorts 
of this counay and Europe, I consider Atlantic City one of the most 
favorably located. On account of the salt water marshes over which 
the tides ebb and iljw. situated back of the town, and the unobstruct- 
ed access of sea air in front, it must ever rank among the first health 
res-irts of the country, because of its equitable temperature and uni- 
form humidity — unless the sanitary laws in regard to sewage and 
drainage are n^lected." 




HiSTOET OF Atlantic City, 1S3 



ATLANTIC CITY A- A AVIXTER HEALTH RE>ORT. 



From a Paper Prepared bt Dr, Boardsiax Reed, axd issued 
BY the Pexxsylvaxia Railroad Company. 



Some years ago it occurred to me that there was need of exact and 
reliable facts concerning the climate of Atlantic City. With a view 
to obtaining such facts I began making regular observations of the 
weather at my office, noting the temperature, relative humidity, direc- 
tion of the wind, and condition of the sky. four times daily. This was 
kept up for about one year. Afterwards, finding that mv instruments 
were inferior in accuracy to those at the United States Signal Station 
in another part of the town, I arranged with the observer there to 
fumi^ me with any information desired. 

Furthermore, in order to determine as definitely as possible the 
benefit to h>e derived from the climate by various classes of invalids, 
and especially by persons afflicted with pulmonary complaints. I ad- 
dressed inquiries to many eminent physicians who had been in the 
habit of sending patients to Atlantic City in the winter and spring as 
well as in the summer, asking them to report the number of cases 
sent here, the proportion cured or benefited, the proportion aggravated 
if any. and the proportion which had remained stationary. 

The replies were not in point of fulness all I had hoped to obtain, 
but. together with the meteorological data previously accumulated, 
they were given to the profession in an article first published in the 
Philadelphia Medical Times for December 18, 1880, and entitled 
'■ Winter Health Resorts : The climate of Atlantic Cily and its effects 
on Pulmonary Diseases " 

That article is here reproduced as follows : — 

" Where shall we send our invalids for a change of air in winter ? 
This is a practical question which is becoming, year by year, more 
imijortant to l>usy physicians, particularly in the great cities of the 
North. There are certain chronic diseases for which a pure and in- 
\Tgorating air. and especiaUy a climate which will tempt the r«atient 
out of doors, are highly desirable. For many cases a change to such 
an air offers the best hope of cure, or even of amelioration. 

"Florida has been much in vogue lately as a winter resort, and 
undoubtedly suits numerous patients well : but it is too far away, in- 
volving a long and tiresome journey. The distance from home and 



184 History or Atlantic City. 

friends, and the impossibility of conferring in an emergency with the 
usual medical attendant, are serious inconveniences. The prevalence 
of malaria there is a source of danger, and the very warm and ener- 
vating character of the Southern climate unfits it for a large class of 
diseases altogether. 

" ('olorado and Minnesota are even farther away, and their cli- 
mates, however tonic and useful, are so cold that invalids there can 
live very little out of doors during the winter ; and if they are to be 
kept prisoners in close heated rooms it might almost as well be in their 
own homes. 

" North Africa and Southern Europe, especially Pau, Nice, Men- 
tone, and other places along the northern shore of the Mediterranean, 
are just now in great repute. Invalids are flocking thither every 
winter, and, the impartial chroniclers tell us. are leaving their bones 
in the cemeteries there in sadly large numbers. 

" Dr. Madden, in his 'Health Resort of Europe and Africa,' says: 
' With one exception the most fre(iuented winter health-resort in 
Europe is Pau ; ' then proceeds to denounce the climate as ' essentially 
cold, variable, damp, and dreary during the winter.' During one 
December while he was there he states that ' the thermometer /cZ? eleven 
times to zero. ' 

"Dr. John Parkin, in his work on 'Climate and Phthisis,' is 
equally emphatic in condemning that climate, saying among other 
things, that ' of a number of patients I have known who passed a 
winter in Pau, not one received any benefit — the majority died soon 
after their return.' 

" As to Nice and Mentone, Dr. Madden quotes several medical 
travelers and former resident physicians to the effect that these places 
are exposed to very sudden changes of temperature, and that the 
native residents are very subject to pulmonary complaints, which with 
them are apt to run a rapid course. Dr. Parkin, in the work already 
quoted, is particularly severe upon the climate of .those places, stating 
that though it is usually very warm there in the sun, insomuch that 
umbrellas are indisjjensable, it is apt to be cold in the shade, necessi- 
tating the heaviest wraps. Crossing the street is like passing from 
summer to winter. The same author shows that, from the location of 
these towns in the neighborhood of mountains, some of whose tops are 
always covered with snow in winter, they must be continually subject 
to cold, raw winds, which are all the more intolerable and dangerous 
because of the heated air Avhich they displace. 

" Says Dr. Parkin : ' During January and February, then, there 
would be two cold winds prevailing at Mentone, as is frequencly the 
case at Nice. It is not surprising, therefore, that I should have left 
the latter town in the month of March in a snow-storm, or that snow 
should have fallen heavily all the way to Genoa.' 



History of Atlantic City. 185 



" Dr. J. II. Bennett, of Mentone, the chief eulogist of that climate, 
insists very strenuously upon certain precautions against taking cold. 
' Without them,' he says, ' it is unsafe and treacherous. Tliis is evi- 
denced by the great mortality of the natives of the Nice and Mentone 
districts by pneumonia and pleurisy, two of the commonest maladies.' 

" Ur. Parkin's conclusion is that the Bivieni is ' one of the most 
unfavorable and dangerous climates for chronic diseases of the respira- 
tory organs, and especially for phthisis.' As to Africa, he cites army 
reports showing that 'of the British troops passing through Egypt 
during 1872 en route for India, 29.9 per 1000 were attacked with 
phthisis, and 2.3 per 1000 died.' He adds, ' When it is remembered 
that these patients manifested no syn)ptoms of the disease when they 
left England, otherwise they would have been detained, this result 
speaks trumpet-tongued as regards the influence of such a climate in 
the development of phthisis. ' 

" If these are the most desirable winter-resorts in the Old World, 
American invalids, especially those suffering from chronic pulmonary 
affections, would do well to remain on this side of the ocean. 

"•Atlantic City, New Jersey, a place most favorably located as- 
regards convenience of access, being ninety minutes' ride from Phila- 
delphia by the West Jersey railroad, and only four hours from New 
York by the Pennsylvania railroad and its West Jersey branch line, 
possesses certain physical advantages which are well worth consider- 
ing. It has been twenty years or more since physicians began sending 
patients here in winter. First only now and then a courageous invalid 
ventured here at this season, but their numbers steadily increased. 
The experiment proved so successful in hastening the convalescence 
from acute disease, in improving a large class of chronic affections, 
and especially in arresting numerous cases of incipient as well as con- 
firmed consumption, that within the last three years the travel to the 
place in winter has reached very considerable proportions, and the 
numerous thoroughly-heated winter hotels — some of which are as 
sumptuously furnished and as luxuriously conducted as the leading 
houses at the summer-resorts — are crowded with invalids, convales- 
cents, and wearied society people through all the months from Jan- 
uary on. 

"Actual experience has demonstrated that sea air is as valuable 
in winter as in simimer. It also bears out the statistics which prove 
that the climate of Atlantic City is superior to that of most sea-coast 
towns being drier, more equable, and, considering the latitude, un- 
usually mild. 

"The city — for it is in fact as well as in name a city, having a 
permanent population of six thousand, and being supplied with gas, 
street-cars, &c. — is situated in latitude 39' 22', on an island ten miles 
long and averaging about half a mile wide. This is separated from 



I8t) History of Atlantic Citv. 

the nminland at either end by broad bays or inlets, which are connected 
by a narrow arm of the sea called ' The Thoroughfare. ' There is no 
body of fresli water nearer than the Delaware river, distant about 
sixty miles, and the salt-water bays to the landward side are nearly 
always open, ice seldom forming, except for a sliort time occasionally 
in the severest winters. 

" Another peculiarity of the location is that all the winds from 
the landward must pass for long distances — hundreds of miles in some 
directions — over a very dry and porous sandy soil upon which snow 
rarely lies for any time. These winds, including those from the north, 
north-west, west, and south-west, are therefore to some extent both 
both dried and warmed in their passage. 



Influence of the Gulf Stream. 

'■ Though the coast of Southern New Jersey has a general direc- 
tion from north-east to south-west, the beach at Atlantic City trends 
more to the westward, so that it faces almost directly southward. 
■Therefore south as well as east winds are sea breezes here, and both 
blow across the Uulf Stream, which, by the way, exercises consider- 
able influence upon the climate of this part of the coast. 

" Mr. C. P. Patterson, Superintendent of the United States Coast 
and Geodetic Survey Office at Washington has kindly furnished me 
with a large map indicating accurately the course of the Gulf Stream, 
:and with some interesting facts concerning it. 

" This map shows at a glance that the heated waters of the tropics, 
pouring through the space between ("aba and Florida, flow in a north- 
easterly direction along the coast of Georgia and the Carolinas, diffus- 
ing themselves as they go, until from a compact stream less than fifty 
miles wide, they have become opposite Chesapeake Bay a broad expanse 
upwards of four hundred miles in width. Tliis really includes numer- 
ous parallel or slightly diverging currents of very warm water with 
overflow currents of a somewhat lower temperature. One of these 
overflow currents approaches within sixty-flve miles of Atlantic City, 
while it is one hundred and ten miles from Sandy Hook. The prin- 
cipal current is farther away, being one hundred and thirty-five miles 
from Atlantic City, and one hundred and eighty-five miles from Sandy 
Hook, and about the same distance from Long liranch and Montauk 
Point. 

"But the exceptional mildness of this climate may be attributed 
to the peculiar course of the Gulf Stream in this vicinity as much as 
to its proximity. The innermost current, according to the map re- 
/5eived from the Coast Survey ottice, has a direction opposite Atlantic 



History of Atlantic City. 



m 



City of east-north-east, but turns more and more to the east- 
ward till in latitude 40° — that of Philadelphia — it bears nearly due 
east. The main current turns more abruptly, and a little north of 
latitude 38-, some distance to the southward of Atlantic City, has a 
course directly eastward. Our south, south-east, and east winds, 
then, must all pass for three hundred to five hundred miles at least 
over more or less heated water which has come directly from the Gulf 
of Mexico. Our only ocean breezes not affected in this way are those 
from the north-east, and experience shows that these are the only 
winds which are generally unpleasant here. But for places farther up 
the coast, particularly those north of latitude 40'-', the case is different. 
Neither their north-east nor east winds can be appreciably modified 
by the Gulf stream. Their south and s.)uth-east winds may be favor- 
ably influenced to some extent, but less than are the same winds at 
Atlantic City, since they pass over a much latger surface of cold water 
after crossing the Gulf Stream. It may be added that some small 
maps issued by the Signal Service office represent the Gulf Stream as 
occupying different positions in winter and summer, but on this point 
Mr. Patterson writes, ' I greatly doubt if there can be any material 
change of the stream from season to season ; at least there has been 
no reliable evidence obtained on that subject. ' 



Meteorological Statistics. 

"To Sergeant E. W. McGann, who has charge of the United 
States Signal Station at Atlantic City, I am indebted for meteorologi- 
cal statistics and official records, from which the following informa- 
tion, bearing directly upon the subject of the climate of the place, has 
been condensed and tabulated : — 

Temperature, Humidity, Barometrical Pressure, and Rainfall at 
Atlantic City, New Jersey. 



Months, 1880. 


Mean tem- 
perature. 


Range of 
tempera- 
ture. 


Mean hu- 
midity. 


Mean ba- 
rometer. 


Rainfall in 
inches. 


-January 


41.1 

38.2 
40.1 


Max. 

64 
71 
72 


Min. 

13 
11 
18 


79.3 
74.4 
71.9 


.30.189 
30.129 
SO.OIil 


1.70 

2.8.5 
5.97 




March 




Mean for 3 months. 


.39.8 




75.2 


30 12fi 


10..'i2 











" The mean temperature for January, February, March, and De- 
cember, the four coldest months of the year, was, in 1879, 84.7^ • in 
1878, 36. 8o : and in 1877, 35.9-. 



188 



History of Atlantic City. 



" The prevailing Avinds in winter are those from the west and 
northwest, which are usually dry and bracing. The east and south 
winds, which often blow for days at a time, are warmer and more 
humid. Northeast winds, which are unpleasant, usually prevail for 
two or three days at the time of the equinoctial storms, but are infre- 
quent during the remainder of the year. 




1. Long Tailed Duck. 2. Female. 3. Summer Duck. 4. Qreen Winged Teal. 
5. Canvas Back. 6. Red Headed Duck. 7, Mallard. 



" Observations taken at my office, in the centre of the town, at 7 
A. M., 12 M,, and G and 10 p, m., show that in December, 1S79, there 
were twenty-six days during which the thermometer did not fall below 
32^ — the freezing point ; also that there were only two days in the 
same month when the thermometer did not indicate at noon a temper- 
ature above 40^ ; and that there were ten days upon which it was not 
below 50^ at the same hour. During the January following (1880), 
there were twenty-four days during which the mercury never fell 
below the fi-eezing point at any houf, and only two days during which 
it went below 30 ', It was only once in the same month lower than 
40' at noon, and only three times lower than 45- at the same hour. 
On nineteen of the thirty-one days the thermometer stood at 50"^ or 
above at mid-day, 

" These mid-day temperatures are obviously more important than 
averages, for it is in the daytime that invalids take their airing out of 
doors. 

" The dryness of this climate, as compared with other seaside 
resorts, is best shown by the statistics of the rainfall, which is less 
here than at any other place on the coast, as appears from the table 
given below. The readings of the hygrometers at the different stations 



History of Atlantic City. 



189 



are not so significant, since at some of them, including Atlantic City, 
the instruments are located so near to the beach, and at so low an 
elevation above the sea-level (less than thirteen feet here), as to be 
affected b\' the spray, during strong winds off the water, and by occa- 
sional moniing mists, which do not extend back into the to^Ti.* 



Annual Amount of Rainfall at the Principal Cities and Stations on the 

Atlantic Coast. 



station? 



Atlantic City, N. J 40.60 inches 

Barnegat. X. J 49.38 " 

Bo-slon, Mass 62.96 

Cape May. X.J 4-2.44 •• 

Charleston, S. C 64.33 •' 

Galyeston. Texas 51.03 

Jacksonyille. Ha 51.62 '^ 

Xewpoit, R. I 52. " 

Xew Orleans, La 58.29 " 

NewYork. X. Y 4J.68 " 

Xorfolk, Va 44.44 •' 

Portland, Me I 41.10 •' 

Sandy Hook, X. .J (iO.37 " 

Sayaiinah, Ga 55.14 

AVilmington, X. t' 50.!H) •• 



Year ended 
June 30th, 1879. 



Year ended 
J une 30th, 1878. 



42.90 inches 

52.3. " 

54.50 " 

47.99 " 

68.62 " 

67.47 •• 

52.11 •• 
55.84 '• 
73.31 •• 
42.68 '• 
66.28 '• 
45.61 " 
54.86 " 
.52.44 - 

84.12 -' 



* Since the foregoing was published, it has been ascertained from the record.s 
ot the signal station here that there is greatly less wind at Atlantic City than at 
most points on the coast. For instance, the whole moyement of the wind during 
the year 1879 was 84,117 miles at Atlantic City, 109,0.i9 miles at Barnegat, and 135,883 
miles at Cape May. 

Thus at the neighboring stations on either side ot this place there are, on the 
ayerage, much higher winds. 



"The mean barometer for the year ended June 30th, 1879, was 
higher at the Atlantic City station than at any other on the coast north 
of Chesapeake Bay, and, with one or two exceptions, the same may be 
.said as to the preceding year. This is a matter of importance, since 
depressions of the barometer affect the majority of invalids far more 
decidedly and injuriously than low temperatures. An extra wrap out 
of doors, or a fire in doors, wiU perfectly antidote any ordinary degree 
of cold, but it is far more difficult to render comfortable the invalid 
whose breathing is distressed, or wliose joints and nerves have been 
set to aching by a sadden fall in the atmospheric pressure. Baromet- 
rical changes are also connected intimately with variations in the 
electrical conditions of the atmosphere, and these again strongly im- 
press the delicate nervous system of the sick. 

" In the following table the figures represent the average atmos- 
pheric pressure for the years named at the sea-level, allowances hav- 
ing been made for differences in the elevation of the stations : — 



190 



History of Atlantic City. 



Table 


Showing 


Mean 


Barometer 


at Various 


Stations. 


stations. 


Year ended 
June I'Oth, 1879. 


Year ended 
June 30th, 1878, 


Atlantic City.... 










:J0.031 
.•JO.()'29 
•2<t.it-.5 

30.049 
30.0-ii) 
•29.993 
3().()-2<i 
29.944 
30.014 






Uainegat 


29 998 


Boston 












Cape Alay 








30 (J07 


Galveston 


29 995 


Jacksonville 


30 0:^0 


Newport 




New York 




Portland, Me 


■29 ftW 


Sandy Hook 


30 000 







" After all, however, it is with climates as with medicines, trust- 
worthy evidence as to what they have accomplished is the most valua- 
ble. With regard to nervous, rheumatic, gouty, dyspeptic and various 
other chronic ailments (including most of those peculiar to women), 
which are usually found to be benefited here in the summer, e(|ual 
benefit may be expected in the winter. Convalescents from acute dis- 
ease, or from surgical operations, nearly always improve remarkably 
upon being removed to this place from the large cities. 

"As to diseases of the respiratory organs, I have had personal 
knowledge of many patients suffering from various forms of such affec- 
tions who have made tria's of this climate in winter. The bronchia 
and laryngeal cases have, as a rule, improved, some of them very de- 
cidedly, though there have been exceptions. The consumptives who 
were in the third stage, or in any stage with evidences of actively 
progressing disea.se of the lung and decided hectic, have only excep- 
tionally been benefited. Those, however, in the pretubercular or in- 
cipient stage, and those even in the advanced stages where the des- 
tructive process has been advancing slowly, have often experienced 
very marked improvement. In a considerable proportion — about one- 
fourth — of the cases of these latter classes, the disease has been appar- 
ently arrested, and some of them seem to be cured. 

"Detailed reports of the cases I have treated at Atlantic City 
would fully bear out the foregoing general conclusions, but would 
unduly extend this paper and necessitate the exclusion of several re- 
ports I have received from prominent Philadelphia physicians concern- 
ing the effect of this climate upon their patients, in winter espeeially. 
Some of these physicians have been sending patients hither for more 
than twenty years. Their testimony is more valuable than mine, and 
cannot be impugned on the ground of partiality. 

" It is a significant fact that pneumonia and bronchitis are of infre- 
quent origin here, and when they do occur the patients almost invar- 
iably recover. Upon this point my experience as a resident physician 
enables me to speak very positively. I have not known an uncompli- 
cated attack of either disease to ]>rove fatal. 



History of Atlantic City. 191 



Reports from Physicians, 

" The reports from physicians above referred to were received in 
response to inquiries recently sent to them. Many others wrote brief 
apologies, not having the notes or the leisure to tabulate the result of 
their experience as I had requested. Only one physician objected to 
the climate either for bronchitis or early phthisis. 

"Dr. Laurence Turnbull writes : ' The number of cases of phthisis 
that I have sent to Atlantic City have been few in the last stmjes^ as I 
found they were not improved by a residence at the seashore, dry even 
as it is,' adding that a few cares in those stages were aggravated, but 
goes on to say, ' I have been much pleased with its influence on the 
first stages of phthisis, asthma, laryngitis, bronchitis, and nasal 
catarrh, when all ordinary means have failed in the city, by causing 
improvement in the appetite, assisting the digestion, and giving a 
healthier tone to the skin. In convalescence from catarrhal pneu- 
monia and typhoid fever the results have been most gratifying. In 
certain forms of otitis media pundenta I do not find the air of Atlantic 
very beneficial, and in many cases diseases of the ear are caused by 
exposure of that organ to the waves. In strumous diseases of eyes, 
joints, limbs, &c., I have found the change to Atlantic City, if per- 
sisted in for several seasons, of permanent benefit. ' 

"Dr. Thomas J. Harrow writes : 'It has not been my practice, 
as a rule, to advise patients suffering with tuberculous and other 
diseases of the respiratory passages to sojourn at the seaside. Excep- 
tionally, I have had them go to Atlantic City, and have known cases 
of incipient phthisis, chronic bronchitis, asthma, and laryngitis to im- 
prove in that location. My experience of late is inducing me to re- 
commend a larger number of such cases to reside at Atlantic City.'' 

"Dr. Thomas (1. Morton thus bears testimony : ' I have been in the 
habit of sending to the shore at Atlantic City many patients, more 
especially surgical cases, but a large number also of those with lung 
affections, and especially those having a (hereditary) tubercular dis- 
position, and I think especially such cases have been vastly benefited 
by the sojourn." 

" Dr. Jam.es Darrach, of Germantown, writes : ' Have sent several 
cases of autumnal catarrh to Atlantic City, and think without excep- 
tion they were benefited, two of them being certainly exempt from 
these attacks while at the shore. The only case of slow convalescence 
from pneumonia died at Atlantic City. This was about twenty-three 
years ago. A case of obstinate general bronchitis was cured in about 
ten days. A case of what I supposed to be tubercular laryngitis was 
very much benefited, and subsequently recovered. I have also had 
other cases of obstinate catarrh which returned well after a sojourn at 
Atlantic City. ' 



192 History of Atlaktic City. 

"Dr. Eugene P. Bernardy reports as follows: 'AVith but one ex- 
ception, all my cases of phthisis, both in the early and late stages, 
amounting to twelve in all, have been decidedly benefited by a so- 
journ at Atlantic City, a:id one case positively cured, — that is, as far 
as human ear can ascertain. Of the three cases of convalescence from 
pneumonia all were decidedly benefited. In a child suffering from 
chronic pneumonia the lung in a few weeks was almost entirely cleared 
ui). In bronchial affections (chronic) I have seen no penranent bene- 
fit in any of the six cases I have sent there ; all benefited while at the 
seashore, but a few months after their return relapsed. The case of 
phthisis cured had been examined by myself and Dr. Hall in Philadel- 
phia, and while at the seashore examined by Dr. L. Turnbull. We 
all diagnosed incipient phthisis. This was nearly six years ago. On 
her return she had gained forty pounds, and has remained well ever 
since. ' 

"Dr. John H. Packard fays, referring to Atlantic City: 'I can only 
say that I freciuently advise convalescents to go there, and that it is a 
very common thing with me to be asked by patients whether it would 
not do them good to spend a week or two there. I do not now recol- 
lect any case that has been wholly without benefit from that climate, 
and could adduce many that have gained great advantage from it." 

"Dr. D. Murray Cheston writes : 'I can not say how many cases of 
pulmonary or bronchial troubles I have sent there, but the general re- 
sult has been most satisfactory. The cases were all sent in the late 
winter or early spring months, and have invariably returned improved.' 

" Prof. J. M. Da Costa writes briefly, as follows : ' I have sent too 
few patients with pulmonary disease to Atlantic City to have the data 
to answer your questions. Some who were in a run-down condition 
and effected with chronic bronchial catarrh did very well.' 

"Dr. El wood Wilson writes that in the summer months he does not 
think patients with fully-developed phthisis improve by a protracted 
residence at Atlantic City, but adds, ' During the winter months — say 
from October to July — I regard it as a very favorable locality for con- 
sumptive patients." 

"Dr. 11. J. liCvis writes that his practice (being almost exchisively 
sugical) ' Is not of a kind to furnish experience with regard to the 
beneficial influence of Atlantic City in pulmonary affections,' but that 
he has 'a good opinion of its dry and mild climate.' 

"Dr. James J. I-evick has not sent anycasesof phthisis, but has sent 
'several cases of laryngeal and broncliial irritation and one or two 
cases of hay asthma, which improved greatly while at Atlantic City.' 
He adds, 'The cases which have derived most benefit, however, and 
of which I have sent not a few in the late winter months, have been 
patients after typhoid fever; — patients whose nervous systems have 
l^een much disturbed, persons who have needed brain-rest, &.v.' 



History of Atlantic City, 



193 



" Dr. William H. Bennett, resident physician at the Children's Sea- 
shore House for Invalid Women at Atlantic Cit.\ , contributes the fol- 
lowing report : ' My experience of the effects of a sojourn at Atlantic 
City upon those suffering from pulmonary diseases has been confined 
to what I have seen among transient visitors during the summer 
months of the past seven years. I have had little or no experience of 
the effects either of a prolonged stay or of a stay in winter. I can not 
give you exact figures, but the following is a fair statement cf what I 
have observed. My patients were, with the few exceptions of a ma- 
jority of those suffering from phthisis, nearly all children. I have had 
not less than a hundred cases of acute bronchitis, nearly all of whicli 
ran a milder and shorter course than similar cases do in Philadelphia. 
The majority of these cases had during treatment the l)est possible 
hygienic surroundings, but a few which were much exposed during 




-^O 



1. Gooseander. 2. Female. 3. Pin-Tail Duck. \. Blue- Winfjed Teal. 5. Snow Goose. 



cool, rainy weather in leaky, damp apartments, seemed to do equally 
well. A few, perhaps ten, cases of sub-acute bronchitis, which had 
remained stationary in the city for some time, rapidly recovered at the 
sea-shore. Three or four cases of chronic bronchitis, with emphysema 
and occasional severe attacks of asthma, greatly improved ; but about 
an equal number showed no change. Two or three cases of tardy con- 
valescence from pneumonia made much more rapid progress towards 
recovery after their removal to the sea-shore. Two cases of empyema 
with external flstulse greatly improved. About twenty cases of phth- 
isis have been under my care at Atlantic City. These have been in all 
stages of the disease. A very few, I recall but three, derived no bene- 
fit ; all the others improved in general health. In some, even of the 
advanced cases, the improvement was marked. In many of the cases 
the cough became less troublesome and the breathing less labored. 



194 History of Atlantic City. 



Nearly all slept better. Hectic frequently disappeared entirely, or was 
greatly lessened. These cases, with two exceptions, remained too 
short a time to allow of any inference in regard to the effect of their 
stay upon the progress of the disease itself. One of these two ex- 
ceptional cases remained three months. It was one of the few 
that did not improve at all, and the disease ran its usual course. The 
other spent most of the time during the last eighteen months of his 
life at Atlantic City, and his downward progress was undoubtedly 
much retarded by so doing. I am aware that the experience which I 
have thus detailed has been too meagre, except perhaps in the cases of 
acute bronchitis, to allow of any general conclusions. But, after com- 
paring my own experience with that of others, I am convinced that the 
atmosphere of Atlantic City in summer (perhaps also in winter, but I do 
not know) will prove especially beneficial in the large majority of 
cases of diseases of the respiratory organs, and that the common opin- 
ion that the sea-coast is everywhere unsuitable for cases of phthisis 
has little foundation. So thoroughly am I convinced of this fact that 
I am striving to have special provision made in the Sea-side House for 
Invalid Women for consumptives, and in doing so I am but following 
in a small way the example set by the establishment of the magnifi- 
cent Royal National Hospital for Consumption on the sea-coast of the 
Isle of Wight. ' 

" The good accomplished by this climate I attribute not to any 
specific influence of the air upon the lungs, but to its tonic and al- 
terative properties, acting by the improvement of digestion and nutri- 
tion, the promotion of sleep, &c. Atlantic City is the most accessible 
to the New England and Middle States of any place having claims as 
a winter resort, and admitting of out-door exercise for most invalids 
the whole winter through." 



A Dry and Bracino Climate. 

Dr. William Pepper's report of his experience in sending patients 
to Atlantic City was not received until after the publication of the 
above article. It is emphatic testimony from a recognized authority 
in pulmonary diseases, and is therefore given a place here ;— 

"Philadelphia, 1811 Spruce Street. 

"My Dear Doctor Reed : — In reply to your (luestion as to my 
experience with the climate of Atlantic City in cases of diseases of 
the chest, I would make the following remarks : — 

" I am more strongly convinced each year of the advantage in the 
treatment of such cases possessed by dry, bracing climates as com- 
pared with moist, sedative climates. Undoubtedly there are certain 
special types of disease that do better in the latter, but it has seemed 



History of Atlantic City. 195 

to me that the benefit derived amounts to palliation or relief, and not 
to radical cure. One difficulty attaching to the residence of invalids 
in dry, bracing climates, is the fact that a far greater degree of atten- 
tion to hygiene and systematic regimen is required. There are 
fewer risks of renewed congestions or increased catarrhs in a moist, 
sedative climate, it is true ; but on the other hand, if the patient is 
carefully instructed by his medical adviser as to the proper mode of 
living in a dry, bracing climate, and is willing to faithfully attend to 
all the details of such instructions, there is, in my judgment, a far 
higher degree of actual, permanent benefit to be secured in the gi'eat 
majority of cases. 

" This applies especially to patients who are still in the curable 
stage of consumption, for in a large proportion of cases of phthisis 
there is an early stage when no true tuberculous disease exists, and 
when a cure is possible under the combined influence of suitable cli- 
mate, rigidly careful hygiene, and judicious medical treatment. 

" I would further say that I have seen enough of the results of 
the climate at Atlantic City to satisfy me that it acts powerfully in 
most cases as a dry and bracing climate. Many cases of incipient 
phthisis, and even of phthisis in the second stage, have been greatly 
and permanently benefited by a residence there under a strict rule of 
living and treatment. In several cases of chronic pleurisy with 
marked atony of the skin and system, and retarded absorption of the 
morbid products, I have seen the removal to Atlantic City soon fol- 
lowed by rapid improvement. I am referring to this climate as I have 
observed it at all seasons of the year ; and in respect particularly to 
that which I have just mentioned, the element of relaxation of the 
skin, which is common to so many diseases and is so powerfully 
conducive to renewed attacks of congestion or inflammation, I have 
observed excellent results from the stimulating dry air of Atlantic City. 

" In retarded convalesence from acute diseases, and in conditions 
of impaired nervous tone, I have also found its climate very valuable. 
On the other hand, in the majority of cases of organic heart disease 
and of bronchial asthma, the results of residence at Atlantic City have 
not been favorable. 

" It is unquestionably an admirable climate, and I am convinced 
that if those wJio resort to it would but observe with sufficient pa- 
tience and minuteness the necessary precautions, they would for the 
most part avoid the bad effects that some have experiencea, and 
would find it highly beneficial in the conditions I have above men- 
tioned, as well as in others to which I have not time to allude. 
" Yours very truly, 

"WILLIAM PEPPER. 

" Dr. BoARDMAN Keed, 

''Atlantic City, i\r. J." 



190 History of Atlantic City. 

My experience as a resident physician coincides in the main per- 
fectly with that of Dr. Pepper as above recorded ; but with regard to 
asthma, it has happened to me to see a majority of cases do well at At- 
lantic City, though with some few the climate has manifestly disa- 
greed. One prominent railroad man who suffers much from asthma 
when inland, spent the whole of last winter here with entire relief. 



Further Advantages of Atlantic City as a Sanitarium. 

Certain partizans of Florida and Minnesota last winter engaged in 
a spirited controversy concerning the merits of those regions respec- 
tively, as resorts for consumptives in winter. Since these climatic ex- 
tremes were each setting forth its claims so earnestly in the New 
York Me<Uc<i1 Journal^ it occurred to the writer that the many marked 
advantages of Atlantic City ought to be placed before the readers of 
the same publication. Hence an article entitled " What Atlantic City 
can do for Consumptives," was prepared and appeared in the number 
for March, 1881. The following portions are deemed worthy of being 
reproduced in this pamphlet : 

" It does not seem necessary to decide in favor of either Florida or 
Minnesota — the extreme south or the extreme north — as the only 
proper residence for such patients in the winter season. Professor 
Bennett in his work on ' Pulmonary Consumption,' expresses a senti- 
ment on this point, which though Dr. Kenworthy has quoted it, ap- 
pears scarcely to help his case. It is this : ' Xow that medical doc- 
trines have changed, thatvitalistic and sthenic views of treatment pre- 
vail, and are found to give infinitely more satisfactory results than 
those that followed antiphlogistic treatment, the medical mind in 
America and Europe looks about for a colder climate. As usual, the 
pendulum has a tendency to pass to the other extreme ; to go from 
Madeira, Jamaica, and Barbadoes, from Havana, Florida, and Nassau, 
to the ice-covered summits of the Swiss mountains, to the frozen plains 
of North America. Many minds can never constitutionally accept and 
follow the golden adage, ' Medio tutissimus ibis ; ' they cannot remain 
in the middle of the road ; they must pass from one extreme to the 
other. ' 

" Evidently Professor Bennett considers Florida and Minnesota 
as extremes, and would give the preference to some middle region. At- 
lantic City, N. J., situated in latitude 39" 22', is just about midway be- 
tween the peninsula of Florida and the ' frozen plains of Northern 
America,' and may therefore claim to be the 'golden mean.' It is 
rapidly growing in favor as a winter resort for many classes of invalids. 
It has one of the driest and most equable climates on the coast, has 



History of Atlantic City. 197 

better hotel accommodations than can be found hi either Florida or 
Minnesota, and is so accessible to the New England and Middle States 
that a trip hither is neither a serious undertaking nor a finality involv- 
ing- a complete cutting adrift from home, friends and physicians, with 
the prospect of dying among strangers if the climate should not suit. 

"There are many patients who are drifting into phthisis as the 
result of a general break-down following excessive devotion to busi- 
ness or pleasure. These may not care and do not need to expatriate 
themselves for half the year. They may often do perfectly well at 
home, provided they avoid all excesses and have the best possible med- 
ical treatment ; but, their vital forces being at a low ebb, they need 
occasionally the stimulus to be derived from a few weeks' sojourn in 
some invigorating sea-side climate, where it is not so cold as to keep 
them in-doors, and yet not so warm as to relax their tissues and still 
further debilitate them. It is this class of phthisical cases, and nu- 
merous other affections resulting from nervous exhaustion, that we 
see most of here, and find to receive most of the benefit from the cli- 
mate. 

" Through the courtesy of Serjeant E. B. Garriott, the observer in 
charge of the signal station in New York, some] statistics of the wea- 
ther in that city during the three spring months of the year 1880 have 
been obtained; and in the following table are compared with the cor- 
responding figures for Atlantic City, furnished by the observer here : 

Mean Kainfall Mean 

March, 1880. , Tempei'ature. in inches. Barometer. 

Xew York City 34.0 4.66 30.065 

Atlantic City 40.1 5.97 30.061 

April,\9m. 

XewYorkCity 49.0 3.38 30.015 

Atlantic City 49.3 1.83 30.045 

Mau, 1880. 

Xew York City 65.0 0.82 30.059 

Atlantic City 63.1 0.54 30.0.58 

"From this table it will be seen that the temperature during 
March averaged six degrees higher here than in New York City ; in 
April it Avas only slightly higher : and in May, when New York began 
to experience its foretaste of the summer heats, it averaged cooler in 
Atlantic City. The rainfall was less here in April and May, though a 
little greater during March than in New York. 

"During the entire year ending June 30th, 1879, the amount of rain- 
fall in New York was 43.68 inches, as against only 40.6 inches at At- 
lantic City. Taking a series of years, the rainfall in New York City 
is found to average only a little more than at Atlantic City, though 
greatly less than at most seaside stations. For instance, during the 
two years ended June 30th, 1879, there were 135.02 inches of rainfall 
at Wilmington, N. C, 108.04 inches at Newport, R. I., 103.73 incbes 



108 



History of Atlantic City. 



at Jacksonville, Fla., 86.36 inches at Xew York, and only 83.5 inches 
at Atlantic City. 

"If it were desirable to prolong this article, I could cite numerous 
cases of consumption which have been markedly benefited by a win- 
ter's residence here. I can recall several persons who came here a few 
years ago with chronic cough and evidences of consolidation in part of 
one lung, and, having experienced decided improvement, have re- 
mained ever since, winter and summer. The disease in these cases 
seems to be aiTCSted. The majority of such patients here are from 
Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, but within the last two or three years 
I have seen many consumptives from New York, as well as from 
Boston and other cities of Xew England. Some who came in the last 
stage found no benefit, but nearly all who have come while the disease 
was yet in an early stage, or, if further progressed, was pursuing a 
slow and chronic course, gained, at least, for a time. 




SIIEEPSHEAD FISH. 



" One notable case is that of a New York merchant who spent 
last winter here. After having had several hemorrhages and become 
considerably emaciated, he came here early in November, with in- 
structions from his physicians to proceed farther south as soon as the 
w'eather grew too cold for him. He remained all winter, walking out 
almost daily, and returned to New York in the spring to resume his 
business, greatly improved in health. 

"Atlantic City offers, then, as its chief advantages for winter 
residence, a pleasant and highly remedial climate and great accessibil- 
ity. But a place where invalids accustomed to tlie usual comforts, 
luxuries, and social enjoyments of civilization are expected to reside 
for months at a time, must possess other attractions besides a good 



History of Atlantic City. 199 



climate and accessibility, else ennui and home-sickness would soon 
more than counteract the exhilarating effects of the air, and then the 
more numerous the railroads, the quicker an escape would be made. 

'• Atlantic City is now one of the largest of the distinctively sea- 
side towns in the United States, having a permanent population of six 
thousand. It has church services conducted all the year, according to 
the Episcopal, Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, and Baptist forms 
of worship, with the usual social organizations of these different de- 
nominations. The place also boasts of street railways, omnibus lines, 
and no lack of carriages and phaetons for hire at all seasons ; good 
fishing and shooting ; circulating libraries ; hot and cold sea-water 
baths ; and finally, excellent hotels, at some of which, during the latter 
part of the winter, there is to be found as choice and brilliant a society 
as at the height of the summer season."' 



Hygienic Hints and Sanitary Precautions. 

In an article contributed to the Philadelphia Medical Bulletin, for 
November, 1880, the writer thus alluded to some important hygienic 
considerations : — 

" The matter of diet here is not so important in winter as in sum- 
mer. Errors in this respect are not then apt to be followed by such 
serious consequences. But it is safe to counsel all invalids to restrain 
the prodigious appetite they are almost sure to acquire soon after 
coming. Otherwise, constipation, headaches, and loss of appetite 
eventually result, showing that an overloaded stomach and embar- 
rassed liver have struck work. 

" It is a mistake to suppose that one can not take cold at the sea- 
shore. 

" It is necessary, then, that invalids here should take the usual 
precautions against being chilled. In the winter season, and on sum- 
mer evenings, wraps of some kind are always jn order, out of doors, 
though usually they need not be heavy. 

" As to exercise, while some is needed by the weakest invalids, 
even though only of a passive kind, such as massage by a manipulator, 
or rubbing by, an ordinary attendant after the bath, there Ls commonly 
little danger that those able to walk shall not get enough. Many are 
inclined to take too much, owing to the extraordinary stimulant 
effects of the air, and need to be restrained, lest they exhaust their 
small stock of vitality as fast as it can be replenished. But this ten- 
dency is far less in winter than in summer, when the nightly hops and 
other multitudinous pleasures and dissipations keep the more impres- 
sionable visitors in a constant whirl of feverish excitement. 



200 History or Atlantic City. 

"There is, at this season, a restful air about not only the select 
cottage boarding-houses, but also the largest hotels, even when crowd- 
ed as they are in February and March with the elite of the great cities. 
The tired brain-workers and exhausted devotees of fashion, equally 
with the convalescents and more chronic invalids, having come to rest 
and recuperate, go about it, generally, in a quiet, sensible way. 

" One word, finally, as to medicinal treatment. For some cases 
the air alone is sufficient. Others get on famously with the air and 
the help of judicious bathing. Still others need medicines, and lose 
by having them stopped during their stay at the seashore. For these 
last, the tonic and alterative virtues of the air often furnish just the 
adjuvants necessary to accomplish the cure. The medicines which at 
home were nugatory or only half successful may succeed perfectly with 
the aid of the sea-air, when neither, alone, would be sufficient,'" 

The following, with regard to the sanitary condition of Atlantic 
City, is from an article contributed by the writer to the Philadelphia 
Medical and Surgical Rejxjrter of July Otli, 1881 : 

"The sandy beaches on the New .Jersey coast are generally free 
from malaria, except at points where freshwater streams empty into 
the ocean. Professor Alford L. Loomis, of New York, in a recent 
lecture, discussed the subject of malaria with his accustomed ability. 
He said : ' Salt-water marshes are, as a rule, especially free from ma- 
laria : but mix salt and fresh water, as on some of the New Jersey 
marshes, and you have the conditions for generating the poison. 
Marshes that rest on a substratum of sand are not so malarial as those 
that rest on limestone, clay or mud." 

"Atlantic City, which, by reason of its rapid growth and promi- 
nence among health resorts, is now attracting to an unusual degree 
the critical attention of sanitarians, is fortunate in being surrounded 
by a plentitude of unmixed salt water, and being founded upon the 
dryest of sand. So far, therefore, as concerns malaria, that subtle, 
intangible poison, which defies alike the microscope and the reagents 
of the chemist, but produces in somt unknown way the periodical 
fevers, Atlantic City seems to be highly favored. Intermittent and 
remittent are strangers to the regular residents, and it is the constant 
experience of malarial patients coming here that they obtain rapid re- 
lief with far less medication than at home, often especially in the case 
of children, with no medication at all, 

"Among the important improvements lately effected may be 
mentioned the following : There has been a general filling up of lots 
which were below the city grade. A most stringent contract has been 
made for the removal of garbage, at least once a day, in sealed or 
closely-covered wagons, from every hotel and dwelling-house in town, 
and its transportation by rail back into the country, where it is used 
for fertilizing purposes. All privy wells are refiuired to be cleaned at 



History of Atlantic City. 201 

stated intervals, and the contents removed in odorless excavators, and 
these latter appliances are already here in use. 

"A few words maybe said as to the drainage of Atlantic City. 
There are now eight sewers, wjiich run from the ocean side of Pacific 
Avenue across the town and empty into a canal or ditch out on the 
meadows, which in turn empties into Absecon Inlet. This would be 
objectionable if the attempt were made to carry off by these sewers any 
animal refuse, or other offensive matters, such as that from water- 
closets, or even the kitchen slops. Though they have a fall of from 
three to six inches in every one hundred feet, it would be impossible 
for them to remove such substances with sufficient rapidity and thor- 
oughness ; and even if they could, to pour such a quantity of offal into 
the ocean at our very doors would be most undesirable. Therefore, 
the sewers are used only to drain away the ordinary surface water, the 
refuse matters being removed as above desci'ibed. 

" The system in use here, as now carried out, is believed to be the 
best attainable on the flat seaside beaches. If any sanitarian can sug- 
gest a better, the health authorities of Atlantic City would be pleased 
to hear from him. 

" Another important consideration at these seaside resorts is the 
drinking water. At many places the surface water obtained by dig- 
ging a few feet in the sand is habitually used for drinking and culi- 
nary purposes. This is decidedly unsafe. Intestinal fluxes, and even 
typhoid fever, may be produced in susceptible persons by using such 
water. The hotels, boarding houses and cottages in Atlantic City are 
supplied with cemented cisterns or wooden tanks for collecting rain 
water, and either the latter or melted ice is always obtainable." 

Under the head of ihygiene very much more might profitably be 
said, since many invalids fail to improve here as they ought, solely 
because of neglecting little precautions which, though apparently 
trivial, often make just the difference between success and failure ; 
and a whole chapter might well be devoted to the subject of salt-water 
bathing, facilities for obtaining which in-doors are now obtainable at 
all seasons of the year. But this little pamphlet, hastily and imper- 
fectly prepared in the hope that it may supply a want, has already far 
outgrown the dimensions originally contemplated. 



Societies. 



Following is a list of the Secret and Beneficial Societies of 
Atlantic City : 

Trixity Lodge, No. 79, F. & A. M. — Organized at Absecon, in 
1867. First officers : J. B. Somers, W. M. ; Willard Wright, S. W. ; 
George F. Currie, J. W. ; Mahlon Frambes, Secretary ; Reuben Somers, 



202 History of Atlantic City. 



Treasurer ; Carroll Doughty, S. D. ; Abner Price, J. D. ; John Price, 
Tyler. Jas. S. Robinson was the first man initiated. The Order 
changed its place of meeting to Atlantic in 1874. 

Seaside Division, Xo, 142, S. of T., of Atlantic City, was organ- 
ized on the 21st day of March, 1870, by P. G. D. Simon Lake ; twenty- 
one persons were initiated as charter members, who were : S. R. 
Morse, Dr. Lewis Reed, James Shinn, Sr., Irving Lee, Joseph D. 
Adams, Wm. Carter, Jos. H. Shinn, Garrett Tompkins, Stuart Shinn, 
.John Wilkins, Job Smith, Theo. Adams, Geo. H. Macy, Thomas W. 
Clement, Edwin Eldridge, Charles Horner, John Eldridge, Mrs. M. 
J. Morse, Mrs. Hannah Lee, Nellie M. Hays. The following named 
officers were then duly elected for the ensuing quarter : Worthy Patri- 
arch, S. R. Morse ; "Worthy Associate, Dr. Lewis Reed ; Chaplain, W. 
S. Carter ; Conductor, Nellie M. Hays ; Assistant Conductor, Job 
Smith ; Recording Scribe, John Wilkins ; Assistant Recording Scribe, 
Mrs, M. J. Morse ; Financial Scribe, T. W. Clement ; Treasurer, Gai- 
rett Tompkins ; Inside Sentinel, James Shinn, Sr. ; Outside Sentinel, 
Irving Lee. The officers for the present quarter are : W. P., Malilon 
Wicks; W. A., Annie Jeffries; Chap., Lida Lewis; Con., George 
Keates ; A. C, Charlotte Wicks ; R. S., Francis P. Corcoran ; A. R. 
S., Elmer Stevens; F. S., Judson A. Whittier ; Treas., Wm. W. 
Holdzkom ; I. S., Harry Turner ; O. S., Lewis Nichols. 

American Star Lodge, No. 148, I. O. O. F., was instituted 
August 12th, 1870, by G. M. Charles P. Stratton, with the following 
charter members : George F. Currie, Lewis Evans, John Gouldey, 
Jethro V. Albertson, Reuben I. Adams, and L. C. Albertson. The 
following officers : N. G., George F. Currie ; V. G., John Gouldey ; 
Secretary, L. C. Albertson ; Treasurer, J. V. Albertson. Officers for 
the present term : N. G., W. W. Holdzkom ; V. G., Isaac D. Shep- 
pard ; Recording Secretary, Wm. A. Hamman ; P. S., John Gouldey ; 
Treasurer, Samuel Reeves. Present membership, 104. 

American Star Encampment, No. 8, I. O. O. F., was institu- 
ted January 81st, 1882, by G. C. P. II. B. Reese. The following were 
charter members : Satnual Reeves, W. II. Biddle, D. R. Peterson, 
Simon L. Wescoat, Lewis E. Wills, W. R. Moore, S. P. DuBois, Wm. 
A. Hamman. The following officers : C. P., Samuel Reeves ; H. P., 
Lewis E. Wills ; S. W., Dan'l R. Peterson; J. W., S. L. Wescoat ; R. 
S., AVm. A. Hamman; P. S., Wm. H. Biddle; Treasurer, Wm. R. 
Moore. Present officers: C. P., W. H. Biddle; H. P., Lewis E. 
Wills; S. W., Francis P. Corcoran ; J. W., Wm. A. Hamman ; R. S., 
Elwood W. Courtney ; P. S. Wm. W. Holdzkom ; Treasurer, Wm. R. 
Moore. Present membership, 45. 

Atlantic Lodge No. 10, Ancient Order United Workmen, or- 
ganized December 29th, 1881. Charter members : S. O. Willitts, 
Louis Kuehnle, Jr., John Garton, Edward R. Donnelly, Obed H. 



History of Atlantic City. 203 

Crosby, Edwin Silvers, M. Powdermaker, Charles A. Wyatt, Sylves- 
ter R. Palmer, Frank Barber, L. H. Armstrong, Albert W. Irving, 
John R. Lake, Daniel Donnelly, Henry R. Albertson, Levi C. Albert- 
son, Geo. W. Martin. First officers: P. M. W., Albert W. Irving; 
M, W., Levi C. Albertson; Foreman, Chas. A. Wyatt; Overseer, 
E. R. Donnelly ; Recorder, H. R. Albertson ; Financier, Frank Bar- 
ber ; Receiver, M. Powdermaker ; Guide, E. R. Silvers ; Outside Sen- 
tinel, S. R. Palmer ; Trustees, L. C. Albertson, A. W. Irving, C. A. 
Wyatt. 

Royal Legion OF Honor. Instituted Jan. 18, 1883. Officers: 
Commander, G. F. Currie; Vice-Commander, J. C. Albertson; Orator, 
Jos. R. Bartlett ; Past Commander, H. L. Slape ; Secretary, AV. A. 
Hamman ; Collector, C. E. Schroeder ; Treasurer, Paul Wootton ; 
Chaplain, A. L. English ; Guide, John Hamman ; Warden, John D. 
Anderson ; Sentry, P. B. Haslet ; Trustees, A. W. Irving, W. M. 
Lane, W. Staiger. Present Officers, 1884 : Commander, George F. 
Currie ; Yice-Commander, D. Johnston ; Orator, Jos. R. Bartlett ; 
Past Commannder, H. L. Slape ; Secretary, H. J. Keller ; Collector, 
Sam'l Reeves ; Treasurer, Paul Wootton ; Chaplain, B. L. Stevens ; 
Guide, Chas, Horner ; Warden, J. H. Wolsieffer ; Sentry, J. D. An- 
derson ; Trustees, J. D. Anderson, A.W. Irving, Chas. Horner, B. L. 
Stevens, D. Hunter, H. J. Keller, D. Johnston, Max Einstein, Jos. 
Shinnen, J. H. Wolsieffer, C. F. Horner, Sam'l Reeves, S. L. West- 
coat. 

Atlantic Lodge, No. 5, of Independent Order of Me- 
chanics. Instituted Dec. 15, 18S3, Atlantic City. Charter Mem- 
bers : Senior Master, Wm. H. Aiken ; Worthy Master, I. C. Covert ; 
Junior Master, A. L. English ; Conductor, Benj. Johnson ; Inner 
Guard, Wm. F. Fleming ; Outer Guard, Henry Boker ; Right 
Guard Worthy Master, Frank C. Williams ; Left Guard Worthy 
Master, Benj. F. Souders ; Right Guard Junior Master, Benj. Quick- 
sell ; Left Guard Junior Master, Charles Fleming ; Chaplain, Sam'l 
P. Price ; Recording Secretary, Julius F. Coty ; Financial Secretary, 

E. F. Batchelor ; Treasurer, Francis Barnett ; Trustees, William F. 
Fleming. Daniel K. Donnelly, Richard W. Sayre, Present Officers : 
Senior Master, I. C. Covert ; Worthy Master, William D. Robinson ; 
Junior Master, Frank Rittenhouse ; Conductor, Harry Kennedy ; 
Chaplain, Sam'l E. Perry ; Inner Guard, John Sykes ; Outer Guard, 
Thomas Fenton ; Recording Secretary, Richard W. Sayre ; Financial 
Secretary, E. F. Batchelor ; Treasurer, Wm. H. Aiken ; Trustees, Wm. 

F. Fleming, Daniel K. Donnelly, Henry C. Bennett, M. D. , 

Joe Hooker Post, No. 32, Department of N. J. G. A. R., was 
mustered Nov. 1st, 1870, by Samuel Hufty, Commander Dept. of 
N. J. G. A. R., and his staff, assisted by comrades of Post 5, of Cam- 
den, N. J. The first officers were as follows : L. C. Albertson, Com- 



204 History of Atlantic City. 

mander ; George F, Currie, S. V. Commander ; John Hamman, J, V. 
Commander ; Geo, H. Perkins, Adjt. ; J. V. Albertson, Quartermaster. 
'f. K. Keed, Surgeon ; H. H. Y. Wicks, Chaplain; Simon L. AVestcott, 
Officer of Day ; H. C. Norman, Officer of Guard ; I. F. Shaner, Sergt.- 
]Major; Jos. H. Holmes, Q. M, Sergt. Present Officers: J. V. Albertson, 
Commander ; E. S. Amole, S. V. Commander ; C. A. Cox, J. Y. Com- 
mander; Wm. II. Zern, Adjutant; Jno. S. Taylor, Quartermaster; T. K. 
Reed, Surgeon ; J. A. Whittier, Chaplain ; Henry Behm, Officer of 
Day ; William Runyon, Officer of Guard ; Henry Higbee, Sergeant- 
Major ; F. C. Williams, Q. M. Sergt. The Post has lost, by death, 
since its its organization, four comrades, viz., Frederick Currie, Priv. 
Co. G, 5th Pa. Cav. ; Isaac Myers, Priv. Co. B, 1st N. J. Cav. ; Chas. 
Elwanger, Priv. Co. D, 8th N. J. Yols. ; and A. M. Bailey. 
At the present time the Post has 106 members in good standing. 
Charter Members. — John S. Adams, L. C. Albertson, Charles Hor- 
ner, Albert Hortou, Geo. F. Currie, Wm. Borden, George Goetz, 
John Harman, P. J. Hughes, Enoch Shaw, Geo. H. Perkins, N. S. 
Parker, Clark Hewitt, J. Y. Albertson, Wm. Fleming, Fred. Endi- 
cott, T. K. Reed, Chas. R. Lacy, S. B. Rose, H. H. Y. AVieks, J. J. 
Gardner, S. L. Westcott, Geo. W, Holmes, H. C. Norman, Wm. L. 
Adams, I. F. Shaner, Geo. W. Jones. Jos. H. Holmes, A. G. Wolf, 

B. L. Stevens, Geo. W. Davis, Henry Higbee, Jos. T. Note, John W. 
Holmes, A. M. Bailey, Adam Conover, Wm. T. Cozens, John F. 
Smith, Theo. Greaves, Frederick Currie, Thomas C. Adams, E. S. 
Amole, Chas. P. Conover, AYm. H. Zeru, John Harrold, Henry Behm, 
Chas. W. Maxwell. 

Webster Lodge, K. of P., instituted in 1874. Present officers: 

C. C, Thos. B. AVick ; Y. C, Shelton L. Butt ; K. of R. and S., Wm. 
R. Moore ; M. of E., Hugh Y. AA'icks. 

Hotel Keepers', Brewers' and Bottlers' Protective Association, 
organized winter of 1884, by the election of Robt. M. Hunter, Pres.; 
David Johnson, Yice Pres. ; Peter F. Hagan, Sec'y : Michael J. Kelley, 
Treas,; Isaac C. Covert, Chairman Board of Trustees. 

Atlantic City Council, No. 478, Royal Arcanum, organized 
April 29, 1880. Charter members: F. B. Lippincott, AV. Bordinan Reed, 
E. AV. McGan, AVm. AVright, AVm. Conway, Sr., Jos. Borton, E. C. 
Timmerman, Lewis Evans, Fred. P. Stone, Johu L. Bryant, Chas. D. 
Krause, B. E. Norris, Morris Powdermaker, A. G. Wolf, Adolph 
Schlecht, Chas. F. Borhek, Wm. Hawk, Henry S. Frambes, Osmon 
C. Evans. Names of present officers : Regent, H. S. Frambes ; Yice 
Regent, Jas. II. Mason ; Orator, AVm. II. Hawk ; Past Regent, AYm. 
AVright ; Secretary, E. F. Price ; Collector, Benj. E. Norris ; Treas- 
urer, Morris Powdermaker ; Chaplain, Chas. D. Krause ; Guide, Silas 
L. Burnham ; Warden, Adolph Schlecht ; Sentry, Jos. H. Borton. 



History of Atlantic City. 



•205 



Pequod Tribe, No. 47, Irnpd. O. of R. M., was chartered April 
17th, 1874. Or. G. S. D. Plant Moon, 17th Sun, 383. The chartQr 
members were : Williard Wright, M. D., A, G. Wolf, John J. Gard- 
ner, Joseph T. Note, T. C. Garrett, Thomas E. French, Chas. W. 
Adams, John Wilkins, Theo. C. Rose, David Johnston, H. R. Mc- 
Bride, Hyland Pharaoh, Eben Mathews, Joel D. Woolbert, Nicholas 
S. Parker, Jesse A. Taylor, William Somers, Edmund Lake, Samuel 
R. Shaffer, Cliarles Horner, Isaac Somers, John L. Smith, Thomas 
Riley, James C. Adams, Lewis H. Adams, Mahlon R. Kirkbride, 
James Riley, Hezekiah Lee. First Officers, viz. : Prophet, Edmund 
Lake ; Sachem John J. Gardner, Sr. Sag. ; Williard Wright, Jr. Sag ; 
.Joseph T. Note, K. of W. ; Thomas E. French, C. of R. ; T. C. Gar- 
rett. Present Officers of Tribe are : Prophet, Joseph H. Shinn ; 
Sachem William B. Gaskill, Sr. Sag. ; John J. Killen, Jr. Sag. ; A. D. 
Cuskadden, C. of R. ; T. C. Garrett, A. C. of R. ; Elmer E. Stevens, 
K. of Wampum ; Edward Wilson. 




\. Black or Surf Duck. 2. Bvff el-Headed Duck. i. Female. 4. Canada Goose. 
5. Tufted Duck. (3. Golden Eye. 7. Shoveler. 



200 



History of Atlantic City. 




1. Turn-stone. 2. Ash-colored iSaiuipijur, .',. ^urre. 
5. Heel- Breasted Sandpiper. 



1. Bl(wk-lirllied Plover 




1. Red-Breasted Snipe. 2. Lijug-Leyyed Avosel. o. Solitary Sandpiper. 
A. YHlow-Shunk Snipe. 5. Tell- Tale Snipe. 




1. £!s9uima».i 



/ ' ' s My.' .^. Willet, or Semi-Palmafed 
Snipe. 4. Str<ii(ilit-Jiilled CnrI.eir. 



History of Atlantic City. 201 



KOUTES TO ATLANTIC. 

The routes from Philadelphia to Atlantic City are the Camden & 
Atlantic Railroad (foot of Vine Street) ; the West Jersey & Atlantic 
Railroad (foot of Market Street) ; and the Philadelphia & Atlantic City 
Railway, Pier 8, near Walnut Streeti 

The routes from New York to Atlantic City, are via the Penn- 
sylvania Railroad, via Trenton and Camden, and via the Central Rail- 
road of New Jersey. 

From Baltimore to Atlantic City via the Pennsylvania Railroad. 



ACKN OWLEDGMENT. 

The views in this book are the property of the Pennsylvania Rail- 
road Company, kindly donated for the purpose of placing before the 
people a few of the attractive features of the "City by the Sea." 



WHERE THIS BOOK IS ON SALE. 

On all of the trains to Atlantic City, and at the stands of the 
Union News Company in all of the larger cities. Also at the Con- 
tinental News Stand, Philadelphia, and at No. 31 South Sixth Street, 
Philadelphia. 



208 History of Atlantic City. 



A WORD TO THE CITY AUTHORITIES. 



It was Holmes, we believe, who said, that '" each generation 
strangles and devours its predecessors." The young Fegeean carries a 
cord in his girdle for his father's neck ; the young American a string 
of propositions or syllogisms in his brain to finish the same relative. 
The father says, " Son, I have swallowed and digested the wisdom of 
the past." The young man says, " Sire, I proceed to digest thee with 
all thou knowest." Is there not a deal of wisdom in the remark as ap- 
plicable to Atlantic City ? How many improvements there are yet to be 
made in drives, beach front, and streets ? The wisdom of the fathers, 
we hope, will be as folly to the wisdom of the sons, and that the latter 
will go on with improvements, taking up the work where their fathers 
laid it down. It is idle to suppose there will ever be perfection in this 
world ; there can be nothing made that cannot be improved upon. As 
long as there is an eternal sunshine so long will there be change, and 
change for the better. The youth of Atlantic to-day, if councils do 
their duty, will not knoAV the place in his old age, just as the old father 
to-day cannot find the landmarks of his boyhood. But the city author- 
ities cannot rest under the delusion that the city will retain its wide- 
spread reputation without any effort on their part. They have a duty 
to perform, and must not forget that it was through the vigilance and 
progressive administration of their predecessors that the place very 
largely owes its success. The city officials cannot afford to drift into 
Indifference, and, like the wanderers from Greece, 

"In the hollow lotus lands to lie reclined, 

Or on the hills like gods together, careless of mankind." 

Atlantic City is singularly dependent upon mankind, and just in 
proportion as the place is made healthful, attractive, and comfortable, 
so will its success become sure and safe. A spirit of change is hover- 
ing over the place. In ten years, with proper legislation, there will 
be more hotels, greater facilities of travel, more improvements on 
every hand, than ever, as a seaside home. It will be as a bubbling 
fountain to a thirsty swain. 







Atlantic City, N. J 



THE LEADING HOTEL. 



THE LARGEST HOTEL. 



THE BRIGHTEST HOTEL. 




Me-T^'i tZ't 



■^^'^. 



OI3:^I^I-.E!S 2sJ:cC3L^nDE. 






WYLD'S GRAND VIEW HOTEL, 



ATLANTIC CITY, M. J. 




Unobstructed Ocean A'iew. ConiioitaMe Accommodation for 100 Guests. 

On ttLe Beach, bet. Georg-iac and Florida Aves. 

For particulars, address WM. U. WYLD <£ SON, P. 0. Box. S38. 



DON'T FORGET TO GET OFF THE CARS ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE 

I'OK TH?: 

West Jersey Excursion House, 



IDXiTlTEieS from. 1.1 -A.. H-I. to -^ I=. lv£. at EO Cena-ts. 
l-aific ISall ItoDiu ; Music ;iii(l Daiicilij;' Fr<'c. 

200 BATH HOUSES. SUITS AND ROOMS, 25 CENTS. 

Large Restaurant, Oysters, Sandwiches, &c., Ice Cream, Tea and Coffee. Large Airy Porches and 
Parlors for the use of F.xcursion Parties. Ladies' Parlor up Stairs. 

Large Bar. Bowling Alleys. Billiard and Pool Rooms. 

GILES &. McKUNE, proprietors. 



Albrccht's Hotel and Summer Garden, 

1716, 1718, 1720 ATLANTIC AVENUE, 



(Rctweeu Illinois and ! luliana Aves.) 



i_.j^:rc3-di] j^isTJD j^x:r'y: i^ooimis. 



Vocal and Instrunienlal Concerts will be given during the Season. 
Free admission to Guests. 

W. ALBBECHT, Proper, 



o-jllbi^e^^th:, ^^:f>oth::e:c^i^"Y", 




Successor to and former Manager for 



PACIFIC AVENUE, COR. NEW YORK, ATLANTIC CITY, N. J. 



J. C. WAHL, 

Complete assortment of 

FINE SHOES. 



Custom Work to Order. 



Cor. Atlantic and Virginia Avenues. 




&i SCHBOIDIE, 

Hardware, House Furnishing, Plumbing, 

Heater and Range Work, and 

Tin Roofing. 

Atlantic and South Carolina Avenues, 

ATLANTIC CITY, N. J. 



THE ^durabLeT* A"" 

SEASHORE AND INLAND 

PAINTS, 

MADE WITHOUT BENZINE, 

John Lucas & Co., 

141-14:3 N. Fourth Street, 322 to 330 Ilace Street. 

89 Maiden Lane, Wiu. E. Lucas. 

Factories and Varnish Works, "Gibsboro." 

LADIES' SHOE STORE. 

crosisr :p.a.i^k:ei^, :y\Rj. sc go., 

20 SOUTH EIGHTH STREET, near Chestnut, 

PHILADELPHIA. 
Special Agents for Edwin C. Burt & Go's Fine Shoes. 

TO DEALERS IN 8EGARS AND TOBACCO! ESTABLISHKU 1875. 

\\'hi)lcsalc aiul Retail Dealer in all grades of 

FINE SESARS. TOBACCO, SMOKINS ARTICLES. AND WALKING CANES. 

1304: Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City, N. J, 

All goods sold at Philadelphia prices. The drycst stock in the city. Agent for J. M. & H. A. 
Jeitles' Hand-made Scgars, factory, 905 N. Broad St , I'hila., Pa. 

3v^. :M:EnsriDEi_.'s 

ONE PRICE CLOTHING HALL. 

GENT'S FURNISHING GOODS, HATS. CAPS. TRUNKS. BATHING ROBES, &C. 
^o. 1625 Atlantic Avenue, 

OPPOSITE TIMES OFFICE. ATLANTIC CITY. N. J. 

SMALL PROFITS. <,)l U K. SALES. 

FOl! IIIK SAl.K UK .\LL lilND.S OK 

noxjSE FXJi^nsrisEczisrG- goox)s 

AT LOU K.ST rUU'ES, 

Atlantic Avenue, next to City Hall. 

Telephone connection. Prompt delivery free of charge. OSCAR PEIKERT, Prop'r. 



EUROPEHN HOTEL, 

Near City Hall, 

New and Airy Rooms. 



EUROPEAN HOTEL, 

Op2>osi/e Public Buildings, 

BRDAn & PENN SQUARE^ 

Near Chestnut Street, 

PHILADELPHIA. 



CerLtral BaJzei^y cured Ice Craajm Saloon, 

1324 Atlantic Avenue, 0pp. City Hall, Atlantic City, N. J. 

Ice Creams and Water Ices of my own manufacture, of various flavors, alvi^ays on hand- 
Special Terms for supplying Hotels and Boarding Houses. Having had many years' ex- 
perience in the Baking Business, I am confident of my ability to meet your wishes. 

JOHN S. TAYLOR. 



ir> 



^^ 



TEAS 

AND 

COFFEES. 




[INIARKET 

TEAHOUSE 

lfB2llnO)iH9 




-fe-^ 



fBt:^^-. 



mm 



■^ 



SPICES 

AND 

SUGARS. 






-f^ 



Market Street. 



John W. Steen, "°' 



PHILADELPHIA. 



,9TtMJC%3 rPcii^jllffiiij 

A.T THE INLET, A.TLJlNTIC CITJ^. 

Luncheons for Sailing, Fishing and Gunning Parties, 

a Specialty. Fine Restaurant Attached. 

Meals served to Order. 



(See page 112 of this History.) 



JOHN M. PLUM, Proprietor. 



Cor. Atlantic & Fifth {Massachusetts) Aves. 

Near Hot and Cold Sea Water Baths. Terms Moderate. 
J. A. McCLEES, Proprietor. 



1926 Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City, JV. J. 

THE SEASIDE PHABMACY. 

Cor. Atlantic Ave. and Surf Place, Atlantic City, N. J. 

Visitors will find it attractive, a model of neatness, and ably conducted ; the proprietor having had an 
experience in the drug business extending overa period of twenty-six years. A full and complete assort- 
ment of fine toilet and nursery goods, from which to make a selection, will always be found ; also all of 
the Natural Mineral Spring Waters, on draught and bottled. 

The Coldest and Most Delicious Soda Water on the Island. Elegant Seaside 
Stationery. Fine Cigars. Choice Liquors for IVIedicinai use. 

The compounding of prescriptions given special and careful attention. Every preparation warranted 
to be up to the highest standard of purity and strength. 

Dr. M, WKST, Proprietor, 

CoiiMiltiiiLr Kooins on Surf I'laoe. 




(rive Instant Relief and etlect a Cukk. (Thoy are 
not pads to relieve tiic i)ressure.) P^ach, 25 cents 
per box ; 12 Corn or (i Bunion in each box. 
Sent by mail on receipt of price. ('. C. HUGHES, Druggi.^t, 

Eighth and Kaco Streets, Philadelphia, Pa. 



^IQ, F. STIEeLlH'! 



av^^•^\^^^^^\^^■^•^^^^■^\A^ .:A;a^A^^?^\ .v\.\.^.AA^.A.iv.v/^.x...v.y■^.,, ^^^ 



FIME I MM'W ¥ DIR 



9 



Si3EES£33!3I^^S^BE3Eik32^5iBSiS3SES3E5£^ 



1308 ATLANTIC AVENUE, 

ATLANTIC CITY. - - NEW JERSEY. 



GENTS' *^^^$e^c^ 

Furnisljing ^*^ ' '"" 




THE 

HA TTER. 



GOODS. 

COFi. ATLANTIC «Sc PENN AVENXJES. 



S. D. HOFFMAN, 
COUlSILLOl'^T-LJiW Mm 

CH^MFIQM HQUSl, 

J^TLAMTIC CITY, M. Jf, 



JAMES B. NIXON, 

ij^ttoifneiJ-at-Law, BJa^ter in Cpijcei^iJ and Mar^iJ puhlic, 

QFFiei IM BANK ByiLBINQ, 
ATLANTIC CITY, - NEW JERSEY. 



Jos. Thompsox. 



\. B. Kndu'ott. 



THOMPSOM & EKDICOTT. 

COUNSELLORS- AT-LAW 

ATLANTIC CITY, N. J. 



HARRY 0. CONAWAY, 



DKALEK IX 



XOB^AlOCO and SEGr-/LRS, 

Atlantic Ave., below Illinois, Atlantic City, N. J, 
HAVANA AND KEY WEST SEGARS A SPECIALTY. 



BABY COACHES TO HIRE OR FOR SALE. 




SHILL'S 

Invalid Rolling Chairs to Hire and for Sale. 



Save your Money and Save your Coach, by Hiring. 
1017 up town, 1701 down town, 



ATI^AJNTIC AVENUE, 



ADOLrH SCHLECHT. 



John E. Mehrer. 



SCHAUFLER'S HOTEL, 

Near the Camden and Atlantic and West Jersey Railroads, 
ATLANTIC CITY, N. J. 



MILITARY CONCERTS EVERY SUMMER EVENING. OPEN ALL THE 
YEAR. TERMS MODERATE. 



SCHLECHT ^ MEHRER, Proprietors. 



ALOIS SCHAIFLEK. Owner. 



Elegantly furnished and complete in all its appointments. 

LENTZ cC- SIEGRIST, Proprietors. 



Atlantic City, N. J. 



This favorite House, with accommodation for 200 guests, is open permanently Winter 
and Summer. 

The House has been enlarged, thoroughly heated with Steam and Low Grate Fires, 
lighted throughout with Gas, furnished with Electric Bells, Speaking Tubes, Baths, New 
Furniture, Hair Matresses, &c. 

The location of the Sea-Side is one of the best in Atlantic City, being on dry and 
elevated ground in central part of city, at the Sea-end of Pennsylvania Avenue, in full view 
of Ocean ; easy of access from the depots, and convenient to all the Churches, Post-Office, 
&c.; and is well supplied with pure cistern water; has good drainage, fine, airy halls, and 
over 400 feet of porches. 

The Table will continue to be a leading feature of the Sea-Sii:)E, and being under my 
personal supervision, no pains will be spared to make it equal to the best. 

Special arrangements will be made for board by the week or entire season, and rooms 
secured by mail or telegraph. 

^®* Telegraph Office in the House. 

CHAS. EVANS, 

Owner axu Managkr. 



ATLANTIC CITY, N. J. 

Open All the Tear. Choice Wines, Liquors and Segars. 

BRANCH OF 

435 TVA.r.NXTT STREIET. PIIII.iADE:r.PHZJ\.. 

GEO. W. JACKSON^S 

popULAI( BpiNE[ pOU^E, 

FRON T OF VIRGINI A AVE. 

All the Latest Styles of Bathing Suits. Over I I Accommodation for looo Bathers. The Safest 
200 Bathing Houses. | | Place on the Beach. 

Life Guards Patrol the Beach During Bathing Hours. 



open all the Year. Cor. Atlantic and S. Carolina Aves., near C. & A. 
Railroad Depot. Newly Furnished. First-class Accom- 
modations. Terms moderate. Bar First -Class. 
Rooms Thoroughly Heated. 

LOUIS KUEHNLE, z'/-^/. 



BOOTS, SHOES AND I^TJBBHII^S, 

813 and 1623 ATLANTIC AVENUE, 
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. 

i>i:Ai,i:it I.N 

Toys, Stationery, Fancy Goods, Shells, Etc., Etc., 

1620 ATLANTIC AVENUE, 

ATLANTIC CITY, - NEW JERSEY. 



LAFAYETTE EXCURSION HOUSE 

Corner Mississippi and Pacific Avenues, 

ATLANTIC CITY, N. J. 



Meals on the European Plan. Grand Concerts Day and Evening. 

ESTJLBXjISHZEID 1868. 

GARDNER & SHINN, 

ATLANTIC CITY, N. J. 

THIS ^TI_iA.:N"TIO 

Givil and Grin^inal Detective Agency. 

I. C. Covert, Manager. — H. L. Slape, Attorney for Agency. 

Experienced and reliable detectives furnished. Evidence in civil actions obtained, 
missing persons found, absent witnesses located and served, lost and stolen property traced. 
The authenticity of deeds, wills, and heirs traced and proven. The supervision of waiters 
and other employees of hotels and boarding-houses a specialty. Cottages taken charge of 
during the winter season. Correspondence throughout the world. All business strictly 
confidential. Terms moderate. 

OFFICE AT BANK EXCHANGE, OPPOSITE THE BANK. I. C. COVERT. P. 0. BOX 1000. 

WATCHES. CL OCKS A ND JEWELRY. 

Largest and Cheapest Assortment in Atlantic City. 

No fancy prices. Repairing a Specialty. Good work, low prices. 

All goods guaranteed to give satisfaction or Money refunded. 

1810 Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City, New Jersey, 



AND 



245 North Eighth Street, Philadelphia. 

Established in Philadelphia, i860, in Atlantic City, 1880. 



:m::e?>s. j". o. "w-hiite's 
JPIONEER DRY^ GOODS STORE, 

ATLANTIC AVENUE, BELOW GEORGIA. 

A full stock of Dry Goods of the latest styles, at the lowest prices. Thankful for past favors, 
a continued patronage is respectfully solicited. 

OLIVER H. GUTTRIDGE, 

Dealer in 

PAPER HANGINGS, WINDOW SHADiiS, 

Paints, Varnishes, Windows Glass, cScc, «S:c., 
1.003 .^f^tlantic .^T7-en.-a.e, .^tla,3n.tic Oitsr, IN". J. 



(On European plan. Open day and night). 

19, 27 & 31 NORTH DUKE ST., LANCASTER, PENNA., 

H. COI=I-i^^lSr^, IProp'r. 

Also proprietor of GRAND VIEW HOTEL, Atlantic City, N. J. 

GEO. T. INGHAM, 

A.ttomey cltlcL Coiznselloi^ cut Larw, 

Notary Public, and Master and Solicitor in Chancery, 
Supreme Court Commissioner, 

Office, City Hall, Atlantic City, P. O. Lock Box 35. 



Samuel E. Perry, 



Counsellor.at Law, Solicitor, Master and Examnier in Chancery. 
Practices in the United States District and Circuit Court. 

1Q03 .A-tla,an.tic ■^^Trean.-u.e, .^^tla-xi-tic Oitsr, iT. J. 



F. A. CROUCH & SON, 
FURNISHING UNDERTAKERS, 

Office, Oor. ,.^^tla-rLtic an.d. Irj.d.ia.2:5.a, .A."ves- 

Branch Office, 717 Atlantic Am., ab. Delaware, 

Open Day and Ni-ht. ATLANTIC (JITY, N, J. 



John Gouldey, 

Real Estate and Insurance Agent. Justice of the Peace. 
Collections made. Depositions taken. 

S- HARKINS, 
Cheapest Shell Store in Atlantic City, 

No. 116 ATLANTIC AVENUE, Near Mansion House, 

(Half Square above Post Office.) 

SHELLS. CORALS, TOYS AND CURIOSITIES. 



M. Y, WICKS, 

GROCERIES AND HARDWARE, 

Ready-Mixed Paints, Oils, Putty, Etc., 

1607 Atlantic Avenue, ATLANTIC CITY, N. J. 



CORNER OE ATLANTIC AND MICHIGAN AVENUES, 

ATLANTIC CITY, N. J. 
P. O. Box 303. OPEN ALL THE YEAK. 

JOHN H. McDEVITT, Proprietor. 



ilTILJIMTI© CITY. M. J. 
FMrniture, Carpets, Mattings, Bedding, Oil Cloths, &c. 

AT THE LOWEST PHILADELPHIA PRICES. 



SAMUEL REEVES, 

Dealer in 

SMlQisi^ mi Isgal ikiki. 

No. 1220 ATLANTIC AVENUE, ATLANTIC CITY. N. J. 



Apothecan", 

Atlantic Avenue, beloic Xew Jersey Avenue, Atlantic City, X. J. 

Family Medicines and Physicians Prescriptions Carefully Compwunded and Dispeni>ed 
under his own constant personal supervision. A full assonment of Drugs, Medicines and 
Finer Goods. Spring Waters. Fine Stationery. Cigars, Medicinal Wines and Uquors. 

ALBERT W. IRVINa 

1222 ATLANTIC AVENUE, ATLANTIC CITY, N. J. 

Real Estate and Insurance Agent, Justice of the Peace and Notary Public. Money to loan 

on Mortgage. 



V/ILBUKS 

WILL MAKE A CL P OF CHOCOLATE 

WITHOUT BOILIKG. 

13 DELICIOUS AND IXVIGORATIXG. 



Homceopathically piepajed. Rfconini ended bj 
Physicians and Hotels. Packed m i lb. and ^ib. 
tins, and Manufactured onlv by 
H G WILBUR & SON'S. PHILADELPHIA. 

C- OCOATINA. 



Htiir Artist. 

1322 Atlantic Avenue, bet. South Carolina and Tennessee Aves., Atlantic City, N. J. 

A lajo-e iiock of ready-made waves of the nnest -.^orkrrjinih'.p 2..vsay; :r. zar.G or made to 
order. "Ladies hair dressed in the latest styles. Coml r.gs niade up ecvial :o new. C^: 
and see our $2.50 all long hair switch. Over 30 styles ::' :.- :z: pteces. Ua.y place -.ha: 
re-cresses pieces equal to new. Shampooing. 



yo. 16 Vi Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic Citi/. S, J. 
ART STORE. 

Varied and beauufui designs of Ocean aj-i ^^'. - ;ape Scenes, ^pon Sheli. Plaques, &ic. 
Decorated Potterv T^essons given in the Y?.-. '.:--■ -^ An, Painting upon Silk. Sarin and 
Pludj Esti" - -iers by maji prorapiiV attended '.o. F:r.e work a Specialty 

and at %"erv r 



THE! OIj:D^R^EXjI.A.SIjE. 

BA.ETLETT & MAETIIN", 

Allautic aud North Carolina Arenues, Xext to Bauk. 

Oldest and best Market House in Atlanfcc County. The Meats are alusiyi fresh, being 
the onlv market having a slaughtering establishment on the island. Veget^les, Fruits, 
Ects. Butter. Hams, Dried Beef, Tongue, Bacon. Lard. Chickens. Fish and Game, in season. 
Pickles, in Vinegar,— Canned Goods. Beef. Lamb, Veal and Pork, of Best Quality. 
Telephone Connection. Goods delivered Free of Charge. Orders ca!'ed for and promptlj 
attended to. 



The Leading Dry Goods House of Atlantic City, 

1619 and IG'Jl Atlantic Avenue. 



Branch of Philadelphia Store, Ninth and Washington Avenue. 



Ita 3)a)(icl 



MICHIGAN AVENUE, FACING THE SEA, 

.A.XI^.A.N'XIC: CITY, N. J. 

OPEX ALL THE YEAE. 



HOT AND COLD SEA-WATER BATHS. 



It a %^ai:a3fl|| 



Pacific Ave., cor. of Ohio, Atlantic City, N. J 

FRONTING THE OCEAN. OPEN ALL THE YEAPt. 



Suites of Rooms with Hot and Cold Sea-Water Baths attached. Coach meets 

all Trains. 



MRS. J.L. BRYANT, 

Proprietress. 



JNO. E. MIFFLIN, 

Manager. 



Corner Pacific and Connecticut Avenues. 



Hot and Cold Sea- Water Baths in the House. 

FIRST-CLASS IX ALL ITS APPOINTMENTS. 
Billiard Room Attached. - - - Open all the ^ ear. 

J. A. REID. Proprietor. 



OLD EXCLK.-IOX HOUSE. > " 

ATLANTIC CITY, N. J. 

Newly painted. — Large airy rooms. - Brass and String Band for the Season, 
in the Skating Rink, Ball Room, and on the 3[usic Pavilion. — Largest Ball 
Room and Skating Rink on the Island.— A Large and Airy Dining Room has 
been added for the exclusive use of the guests of the Hotel, separate from the 
Excursion Dining Room. The large and spacious Ball Room will be used for 
Roller Skating e\erv evening except Wednesday. 

BOARD, $12 per WEEK, TRANSIENT, $2 per DAY. 

Rooms can be engaged bv calling on or adiiressing -lOIlX TKENWTTn, 
31 S. SIXTH St., Philadelphia, nr at the Hotel. 
TH03IAS TREXW ITH, SuiA, JOHN TKENWITH, Froii'r 



Alfred M. Heston. 



John G. Shreve. 



DAILY AND WEEKLY. 

The Leading Paper of Atlantic City and has the Largest Circulation in 
the State, south of Trenton. It is read by everybody. The Review is the 
only paper wholly printed in the County by steam. 

HESTON & SHREVE, Proprietors. 

Office, over the Post-Offlce. 

WEEKLY ON THURSDAYS. DAILY IN JULY AND AUGUST. 

1630 ATLANTIC AVENUE, near Illinois, Atlantic City, N. J. 

The Times is the largest newspaper in Atlantic County. It has more 
correspondents, a greater variety of news and a larger hona fide circulation 
than any other paper at every post-office but one, which makes it the beU 
advertising medium. 

The Daily Times is issued during .July and August when the 
population of this city often exceeds 50,000. 

J, F, HALL, Editor and Proprietor, 



[ML 



^JLJt^f 



Published Every Sunday, 

HAROLD SILBERMAN, Editor and Owner. 
Editorial and Business Office : 1214 ATLANTIC AVENUE, Atlantic City, N. J. 

THE ONLY SUNDAY PAPER IN ATLANTIC CITY OR COUNTY. 

The Atlantic Sunday Mail is sold by all the newsboys and all the newst:mds, and on 
all railroad trains between Atlantic City, Philadelphia and New York. 

SUBSCRIPTION PRICE: One Year, $1.50 Six Months, 75 cents. 
» 
Advertising Rates very loiu. Prompt attention to all orders by mail. 






DEALER IN 



Grocer^tes, Cool, Glass and QLzeertsTvare, 
Butte-p artd Kggs. 

Patrons will find only the best Goods, and the stock varied in all the 
staple and fine wares, to meet the requirements of first-class trade. 



!iiiii!ii,iiiii»|ii{iiiiii;!i;iiiiiiK''iii;i<ijiiiiil]iii'i'i:i!iiii!|iipiiii:iiiffl '' »%!'{■!'■ rKimr'Wf^,::'-'^ ~~^\i -m 




FIRST-CLASS. 



LARGEST HOTEL ON THE ISLAND. 



All the modern improvements. Electric Bells, Electric Lights, 
Telephone, Spacious Lawn, Excellent Music, c^c. 

BEN J. H, BROWN, Owner, 



OCEAN END OF NORTH CAROLINA AVE. 

Opeu all the year. Elegantly Furnished, Electric Bells, Gas. and Heated 
throughout in winter. Fine view of the Ocean. 

EDWIN LIPPINCOTT, Prop'r. 

H. L. SLAPE. A. STEPHANY. 

Attorneys and Counselors at Law, Solicitors, Masters in Chancery, 

Supreme Court Commissioners and Notaries Public. Real Estate 

and Lisurance. Conveyancing in all its branches. 

Practice in all the State Courts and United States Circuit and District Courts. 

Atlantic Avenue, opposite Bank Building, Atlantic City, N J. 

MYIBS' UMIQM MABKET, 

Atlantic Avenue, between New York and Kentucky Avenues. 

The Finest Market House in the City. 

MEATS AND VEGETABLES OF ALL KINDS. 

A slaughter house attached and beeves and lambs killed daily. Everything 
pertaining to a first-class market. 

You can get Writing Paper, Card Paper, Envelopes, Blank Books, Account 
Books, Pens, Lead Pencils, Ink, Ink Stands, Rubbers, Rulers, Visiting Cards, 
Fancy Cards, Pocket Books, Purses, Pen Knives, Albums, Leather Goods, 
Easels, Fancy Notions, Etc., at 

J. Henry Wolsieffer's Music Store, next door to Post Office. 

Goods as cheap as in Philadelphia. 

Pianos, Organs, Violins, Harps and every kind of musical instruments for 
sale and to hire at 

WOLSIEFFER'S, next door to Post Office. 

Also Sheet Music and Music Books. Agents for Albrecht's Celebrated Pianos. 



fflammoth Goqglitution pavilioq? 



AND 



CONCERT GARDENS. 



The resort of the elite of Atlantic City. Sea View, Elegant 
Music, Best of Refreshments, Strict Order. Grand Concerts 
Morning, Afternoon and Evening, at 10, 2.30 and 7.30 o'clock. 



Specialties and Burlesques right on the Beach. 

(Just above the Seaview Excursion House.) 



ELECTRIC LIGHT. 



FINE MUSIC. 




Proprietor of the Original Atlantic City 



m 



Mansion House Alley, 

(Between Atlantic and Pacific Avenues. 





NOTHING BUT FIRST-CLASS STUFF SERVED. 
LARGEST BUSINESS IN ATLANTIC CITY. 

REFERENCE, PAST AND PRESENT CUSTOMERS. 



OCT 15 !«(>' 



NO LADY IS REALLY BEAUTIFUL 



WITHOUT A CLEAR WHITE COMPLEXION. 



Scott's White Lily Toilet Wash, the great American lotion for beautifying the face to a 
large extent conceals the evidences of age. A few applications will make the most stub- 
bornly red face or hands beautifully soft, white and smooth. 
It is not a pow- ^ 



der or paint that 
will till up the 
pores of the skin, 
thus causing dis- 
ease of the skin, 
such as Pimples, 
&c., but it is as 
clear as distilled 
water, and is a 
new and valuable 
discovery that 
causes the cheek 
to glow with health 
and rival the lily 
in whiteness. 

It is impossible 
to detect the beau- 
ty it confers. 

It is a sure cure 
for Greasy or Oily 
Ski n. Pimples, 
Freckles, Black 
Heads, Blotches, 
Face Grubs, Sun- 
burn, Tan, Ring- 
worms, Chapped 
Hands, Sore or 
Chapped Lips, 
Barbers' Itch, &c. 
It frees the pores, 
oil glands, and 
tubes of the skin 
from all injurious 
effects of powders 
and cosmetic 
washes, that con- 
tain powder or 
sediment. By its 

It is perfectly harmless to use in any 
should you drink a whole bottle of it. 



use all redness and 
roughness is pre- 
vented. It beau- 
tifies the skin mak- 
ing it soft, smooth, 
and white, and 
producing a heal- 
thy, natural, and 
youthful appear- 
ance not attainable 
by any other 
means. 

It has been and 
is still conceded 
by connoisseurs 
in the art, to be 
the best Face 
Beautifier the 
world has ever 
produced. It is 
just the thing for 
sea-side visitors as 
it positively pre- 
vents sunburn and 
if the skin has be- 
come sunburnt, a 
few applications 
will speedily re- 
store it to its 
natural healthy 
condition. 

One application 
on retiring at night 
will positively and 
permanently cure 
chafing of the ."-kin ; 
one or two appli- 
cations each week 
prevents chafing. 

manlier and cannot possibly injure you, even 




jfYING 






;TURERS |,p^ 



SOLE '^^p-^7[:ADEI.^HlA.PA..U.S.A: 
^^\ PRICE ^S'CENTS -5^0 



For Sale by Druggists and Fancy Goods Dealers. 

One bottl* sent to any address on receipt of 75 cents, or si.\ bottles for §4.00. 
PREPARED BY 

•VT*. 3^. SCOTT &c CO., 



PllILADKLPHIA, PA. 



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I 



THE BRIGHTON," 

Atlantic Gity. 



OPEN ALL THE YEAR. 



In full view of the Ocean, over a fine Lawn 
extending- to ttie Beacti. 

F. W. HEMSLEY & SON. 



> 



\imf,ii\ mpi poupE, 



ATLANTIC CITY, N. J. 



New York Ave. and the Beach. | FINE VIEW OF THE OCEAN. 



J. Keim & Sons. 



_».« »\ 



L 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



014 205 105 9 



